Walcot take derby honours at Frome to stay second in league

Results and reports from the local grassroots rugby scene – Saturday 13th December.

Walcot took the derby honours with a 25-21 success here at Frome to maintain second spot in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South | Photo © Richard Briggs

Walcot stay second in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South after taking the honours from their derby at Frome.

The Lansdown-based club won 25-21 at Gypsy Lane on Saturday 13th December to keep the pressure on league leaders Swanage & Wareham. The Purbeck outfit are a point ahead after 10 rounds of matches, having received a walkover against Marlborough 2nd XV.

Third-placed Sherborne are still snapping at Walcot’s heels, lying a point behind after demolishing Swindon 79-0. And fourth-placed Devizes – 48-10 winners over Melksham – are two points further back.

Walcot made a blistering start at Frome. Adam Wilton ran 50 metres to set up a try-line ruck from which winger Archie Ingall scored the opening try. Cameron Hamer converted.

For the 10th match in a row, Walcot had a different front-row combination. And it took some time for them to gel, as was proved when Frome scored a converted try to level the contest.

While Walcot suffered in the scrum, their line-out play was impeccable. They secured all their own ball and snaffled or disrupted 90% of their opponents’, Liam Hollis, captain Ed Harris and Ethan McLellan enjoying themselves immensely as they soared over the home team.

As Walcot again realised they had a slight edge outside, they ran with the ball at every opportunity, with only a bit of carelessness undoing their efforts and allowing Frome to punish them and push them back with some hefty kicking.

It took another 20 minutes for the next score to appear, Harris touching down to finish off some good interlinking play from an excellent line-out.

However, Frome soon punished a wayward Walcot clearance kick by scoring a seven-pointer to go 14-12 up.

Walcot were guilty of kicking away well-won possession but were happy to see themselves only two points behind as the first half drew to a close.

In the second period, referee Paul Connelly had to be on his toes to maintain order, often walking the away team back 10 metres for chopsing and ultimately issuing two yellow cards.

Walcot now began a spell where they enjoyed the upper hand but were unable to add to their tally of tries. However, Hamer kicked a penalty to edge the travellers back in front.

And the lead became 20-14 when full-back Finn Dewar scored a try out wide.

But Walcot wasted possession although composed themselves to win their only scrum turnover of the afternoon, Dewar going over for his second try with 10 minutes remaining.

Frome scored a well-taken converted try in the 76th minute close the gap to 25-21.

But a huge defensive effort by Walcot – who were hampered by a second yellow card for Harris – repelled further attacks by the hosts and ensured the bragging rights went back to Albert Field.

Combe Down maintained their unbeaten home record as they emerged 34-29 winners of a thrilling encounter with Sutton Benger on Saturday 13th December to take them back to the top of Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North.

Jake Dyer earned top marks for the Down, having made a try-saving tackle on Sutton’s winger to ensure a home victory.

The result meant that Combe went into pole position at the expense of Minety, who lost 18-14 at home to third-placed Westbury and now trail the Bath side by four points after 10 rounds of fixtures.

Jake Gillett was man of the match for Combe 2nd XV in their 35-22 derby defeat at Bath Saracens in Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central.

Local teams’ results for Saturday 13th December:

Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Frome 21 Walcot 25.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down 34 Sutton Benger 29.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon 43 St Bernadette’s Old Boys 21, Oldfield Old Boys 25 Hornets 2nd XV 26.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Avonvale 37 Warminster 21, Bath Saracens 35 Combe Down 2nd XV 22.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Nailsea & Backwell 2nd XV 18 Old Sulians 36.

Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Cheddar Valley v Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV – postponed, Walcot 2nd XV v Imperial 2nd XV – postponed.

Local teams’ fixtures for Saturday 20th December:

Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot v Corsham.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd XV v Combe Down.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Keynsham 2nd XV v Avon, Rebels Rugby v Oldfield Old Boys.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Combe Down 2nd XV v Salisbury 2nd XV, Melksham 3rd XV v Avonvale.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Sulians v Winscombe 2nd XV.

Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Yatton 2nd XV v Walcot 2nd XV.