Sat 3 Sep 2022
North Dorset RFC v Frome RFC II
Report by Andy Vince
The Frome RFC 2nd XV travelled to Gillingham on Saturday to take on North Dorset RFC 1st XV for the first game of the season in their new league.
The hosts came at Frome from the off, and with their big ball carriers running at the heart of the Frome defence, making good gains. Frome tackled well but were allowing the North Dorset pack to get in behind their defence.
On 6 mins North Dorset got a line out five yards out and caught and drove well, catching the Frome defence off guard, and managing to crash over for the first try of the game. The kick was missed.
On 15mins Frome were dealt a blow losing Flanker Matt Smith to an injury. This saw Prop Geoff Taylor come on.
North Dorset carried on testing the Frome defence, but were kept our with some great tackles from Harry Bridle and Taylor.
But with 17mins gone, Frome managed to get some possession. Scrum Half Simon Westlake showed great awareness and tapping quickly from a penalty made good ground, giving the Frome attack a boost of confidence.
But North Dorset still looked dangerous and it took a try saving tackle from Winger Ed Darwent causing the North Dorset player to knock on over the line.
Then on 24 mins the dominant Home pack pushed the Frome scrum over the line to touch down for a second try. The conversion was successful.
On 30mins a break by Full Back John Spencer cut through the North Dorset defence, followed by some big carries by Centre Ali Frost and Prop Taylor Frome fell just short of the line, but a snipe at the breakdown by Westlake saw him touching down for Frome’s first try. The conversion was made by Ben Eley.
Frome had their heads up now and were making big brakes into the North Dorset defence, putting phases together only to knock on when in good field position.
On 33 mins Winger Henry Bull cut through the defence and fed Prop Jason Barraclough who had found himself on the wing, showing a great turn of speed was tackled just short of the line.
Just before half time Winger Bull was at it again, attacking from deep and jinking through would be tacklers, he broke free to release the ball wide to No.8 Alex Mallon who scored Frome’s second try. The conversion was missed.
Half time North Dorset RFC 12 - 12 Frome RFC II
Changes at half time saw Cory Plumridge come on for Winger Ed Darwent.
The second half saw both sides cancel each other’s attacks, with both defences holding steady, with some stand out tackling from Bull.
Then on 71 mins it looked like Frome may have won the game, Frome pounced on a mistake by North Dorsets Fly Half, and with the loose ball Centre Cory Plumridge kicked through towards the Dorset try line, some great football skills saw Plumridge kick it on again with Winger Ed Darwent gathering to touch down for the try… however celebrations were cut short when the referee called back play for a knock on stating that there had been a knock on, much to the disappointment from the travelling support, and relief to the home players who were already making there way under the posts.
As the clock hit 80mins North Dorset made a brake into Frome’s 22, where they camped out, winning a penalty, and from the resulting line out they drove for the line, only to be stopped by some dogged defence.
Unfortunately, with an added 9mins on the clock, the hosts continued to attack the travelling defence, and managed to brake the resistance and crash over for the try. The kick was made and final whistle was blown.
Full Time: North Dorset RFC 19 - 12 Frome RFC II
Player of the Match went to Henry Bull for a great display of attacking rugby, looked dangerous every time he had the ball, and showed he was able to defend as well with some great tackles.
2nd XV Team Manager Andy Vince commented “This was hard closely fought match, and I feel for the players to lose in this manner, they showed huge committed to the cause and but their bodies on the line. With a few better decisions and a bit more luck of the bounce we would have won the game. Lots to work on and looking forward to the visit of Royal Wootton Bassett RFC 2nd XV on Saturday."
