Sat 14 Dec 2019
The Frome RFC 2nd XV welcomed Bradford on Avon RFC 1st XV to Gypsy Lane on Saturday, a side struggling recently but certainly never an easy fixture.
There was a change of Captaincy going into the match with Captain Gordon Grieson having to hand over the the reins to Owen Davies, due to health reasons. We wish Gordon all the very best.
The Home side showed their intentions straight from the kick off with the Forwards running hard at their visitors.
With only 3 minutes gone the Home side kicked a penalty for the corner and from the resulting line out, caught and drove hard, with Prop Loukas Ives controlling well at the back of the driving maul went over the line for the first try. Fly Half Ben Eley converting from a difficult angle.
Frome started to dominate the set piece well and on 12 minutes showed again what they could do from a line out. This time Hooker Phil Clarke crashed through the defence to score.
Frome now in full flow and returned the kick off with great running from No.8 Mark Regler and Second Rows Owen Davies and Connor McPherson.
With Scrum Half Harry Burge organising the forwards well, Frome were dealt with a blow when Fly Half Eley had to leave the field with an injury and a reshuffle in the backline with Lewis Parfoot stepping in.
Parfoot slotted in well and pushed the visitors back with some well directed kicks out of hand, and it was now the backs turn to get in on the act, With great carries by Centre Ethan White and Ed Darwent. Flanker turned winger Lewis Hayes held his own making some great tackles and strong runs also.
On 35 mins Frome again had a line out 5 metres out, Hooker Clarke received the ball at pace and crashed over the line for another try. Parfoot converting.
Frome’s Flanker James Milton was on hand for the next points when some superb support play led to him touching down on 39 mins.
Straight from the kick off Frome went again putting the phases together and hitting the gaps at pace. Quick ball lead to Winger Kyle Williamson running a great line and hitting the gap touching down under the posts. Parfoot adding the extras.
Half Time: Frome RFC II 31 - 0 Bradford on Avon RFC
The second half saw changes with Dean Marshall coming on for Alex Twigger and Dan Chaventre for Ives.Ten minutes into the half and the visitors were having their best period in the match, with Frome becoming a little disjointed.
However on 55 mins Frome would regain momentum when the visitors Second Row was sent to the sun bin following multiple infringements.
Frome were awarded a scrum shortly after and drove the visitors over the line with No.& Regler touching down. Parfoot converting.
On 69 mins Parfoot placed a lovely weighted kick over the top of the defence which was collected by Darwent who pounced on to score.
Bradford on Avon always looked to threaten when they had the opportunity and caught Frome napping when the ball was moved wide for their Winger to touch down in the corner.
Frome were dealt a blow in the final 10mins when Winger Williamson was adjudged to have made a high tackle, receiving a yellow card. However this didn't stop Frome and from a line out Clarke was again on hand to run at pace to crash over and score.
Full Time: Frome RFC II 50 - 5 Bradford on Avon RFC
Man of the Match, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome went to Scrum Half Harry Burge.
The 2nd XV now go into the Christmas break climbing to 5th place in Dorset & Wilts 1 North and resume league duties on Saturday 4th January when they travel to 9th place Chippenham RFC 2nd.
