Sat 29 Jan 2022, 14:00
Swindon RFC II 7 - 50 Frome RFC II
Report by Andy Vince
The Frome RFC 2nd XV made the furthest journey of the season to Swindon on Saturday.
This was bottom against top, but by no means was going to be an easy game as Swindon had won their last game on showed plenty of fight in the previous fixture at The Lane.
Frome received the kick off with the wind at their backs and began to apply the pressure, making their way to the Swindon 22, and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Unfortunately the kick went just wide.
Straight from the 22 drop out, Frome attacked well and a good chip and chase from the backline lead to another penalty, which this time Captain David Abrahams kicked for touch. From the line out, Frome put phases together and before moving the ball wide, with Centre Cory Plumridge going over for the the first try of the match. The kick was missed.
Frome went through the phases again and Abrahams went for a 50 22 kick which unfortunately just landed short, but Flanker Matt Smith stole the line out, and Frome sensed that something was on with some great carries from the Second Row partnership fo Joe Hayes and Tuiwakaya. This lead to a penalty, which was kicked just inside the Swindon 22.
From this line out the Frome forwards caught and got their body positions spot on and drove over 15 metres with Hooker Alex Chalmers controlling well at the back of the maul, to touch down. Abrahams adding the extras.
On 18 mins, it was Frome’s turn to defend, with some great tackles going in from No.8 Rob James and Flanker James Milton, who showed his skills, ripping the ball and then putting in a clearing kick on two occasions.
Then on 25 mins, Frome stepped up the pace, gaining a penalty from a catch and drive, a quick tap and two phases, the ball went out to backs with Full Bailey Rusz joining the line from deep and going through the gap to score. Kick was missed.
Five minutes later Second Row Hayes broke through the defence with a big carry, again a couple of phases, the ball went out wide with Flanker Smith looking like he was going to be tackled into touch, but a lovely off load to Full Back Rusz, who ran a great line and go in for his 2nd try. Abrahams added the extras.
On 38 mins Frome were going to their backline a lot more and Centre Plumridge broke through the defence and fed Rusz who stepped inside his man and out paced the cover tackler to score his hat trick try. The kick was missed.
With the half coming to the end, Frome weren’t ready let off just yet and the backs were in control now, with centre John Spencer holding the ball up well and putting Flanker Matt Smith through the gap to score on the 40 mins. Dave Abrahams added the extras.
HT: Swindon RFC II 0 - 38 Frome RFC II
Half time saw Prop Ali Fisher come on for Jason Barraclough.
Frome started the half brightly and on 46 mins Centre Plumridge chipped over the top for Full Back Rusz to kick on ahead, on gathering the ball he fed Centre John Spencer who repaid the favour and drew the defender to feed Rusz to score his 4th try. Kick was missed.
A change then saw Dennis Wise came on for Kyle Williamson.
On 50 mins Frome went wide again with a big pass out to Plumridge who went over to score his second try of the match. Abrahams made the kick.
Frome took their foot off the pedal a little bit whilst still causing Swindon problems, just a few knock ons and Penalties slowing down Frome’s progress.
On 56mins Williamson game back on for Full Back Rusz.
On 63 mins Barraclough came back on for Gordon Grierson.
Frome continued to struggle to get their dominance back, with some good break out runs by Wise and Williamson, it was Swindon who finished stronger, and Frome defended with everything trying to keep Swindon at nil, but to their credit they caught and drove well from a line out and despite Frome’s best efforts Swindons No.8 crashed over. A great kick from out wide added the extras.
FT: Swindon RFC II 7 - 50 Frome RFC II
Player of the Match went to Full Back Bailey Rusz for his attacking plays and 4 trys.
There’s a break in fixtures this coming weekend with the Frome RFC 2nd XV returning to league action on the 12th February at home to Marlborough RFC 2nd XV.
