Sat 19 Oct 2019
Frome visited their local rivals In good spirits, still unbeaten and currently sitting top of Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts 1 North.
The away team started well catching Warminster off guard, and with good ball retention, worked through the phases which eventually saw Hooker Phil Clarke continue his try scoring streak touching down near the posts. Fly Half Ben Eley kicking the conversion.
Warminster always looked to threaten with ball in hand and tested the Frome defence which saw an amazing cover tackle denying the home team a score early on.
Unfortunately with only 20 mins gone, Frome lost their Scrum Half Harry Burge and Warminster were able to take advantage of the reshuffle in the backline and from their scrum moves the ball threw the backline to score.
Needing to regain composure, Frome were hit another blow when Flanker James Milton was yellow carded for an infringement at the breakdown.
Warminster again seem to sense that Frome were struggling to adjust and managed work the ball wide and break a couple of tackles to go over the line for another score.
Frome then rallied and with some great breaks in midfield with Centre Chris Burgess leading the back line well, the ball was worked out wide and Ben Tiley managed to find his way to the corner and touched down.
From the kick off Frome continued to work hard, with some superb runs by Captain Gordon Grierson and his Back Row partner Cameron Hastie.
Warminster gave away a penalty ten meteres from their line, and quick thinking from Lewis Parfoot, kicked a well placed cross field kick that Winger Kyle Williamson collected to run in for the try, which saw Frome go ahead at Half Time.
The second half saw interchanges and the much welcomed Phil Meenan returning for his first game of the season.
Again Frome started well , the Forward pack linking up well, this again saw their hard work pay off and again Clarke was to cross the line for his second try. Eley converted.
Frome continued to apply the pressure which saw Warminster giving away a penalty in front of the posts. Eley easily kicking the three points.
Warminster we’re back on the scoreboard when their forwards managed to form a good drive from a line out which saw the home side to score.
Dom Granville came on for the Man of the Match Jason Barraclough with 20 mins left on the clock.
Frome then had limited possession but did manage some great breaks from the backline with some lovely support play with Winger Ed Darwent almost getting free but tackled into touch short of the try line.
Warminster did however have one more roll of the dice kicking a penalty to within five meters of the Frome line. But with some great work by Owen Davies to spoil at the line out, Frome managed to clear their lines and win a tight game.
Final Score:
Warminster RFC 21 - 27 Frome RFC II
The man of the match award, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome went to Prop Jason Barraclough.
The man of the match award, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome went to Prop Jason Barraclough.
On Saturday the Frome RFC 2nd XV welcome Minety RFC 1st XV to ‘The Lane’.
(Report by Andy Vince)
