Sat 27 Nov 2021
On a day that started with snow, flirted with rain but settled on providing 40mph winds and near on freezing temperatures, the 1st XV ventured south to take on Frome RFC.
With a few more backs available this week, we hoped to play with a bit more width than in previous weeks so that we could move the substantial Frome pack around, and for the opening 20 minutes we did just that, scoring 2 well worked tries whilst playing in to the wind. The opening score came from a well worked first phase play which saw our centres hold the home sides inside defence, leaving room for full back Tom Gaffney to go over in the corner. Fly half Oliie Brian saw his conversion held up in the strong wind before hitting the post.
Our second try came from a similar set up, but through phase play that involved several strong carries from the piano shifters unfront, before inside centre Marcus Reading straightened the line to go inside a drifting defence that was looking at the players looping round behind him. Ollie Brian was successful with a well struck conversion.
Now, for the rest of the first half i'm not quite sure what happened to the Witney side from the first 20minutes because it soon became all Frome, who scored two cracking tries through keeping the ball well, running hard and exploiting some woeful tackling & discipline by Witney. With both of Frome's tries successfully converted, the home side went in to half time leading 14-12.
The second half was a much more even affair across the 40minutes, with both teams having their moments in attack, only for ill-discipline to puncture their momentum at key times. Fortunately for Witney, they were able to make one visit to Frome's 22 count. After Frome had taken a goal line drop out, that didn't go the required 5metres, Witney were awarded a 5metres scrum, which they managed to gain the upper hand in and send the Frome pack back over their own line so No.8 Rob Coe could dot down. Ollie Brian again added the extra's to make the 14-19.
The rest of the game was very scrappy, with both teams failing to hang on to the ball in the gusty conditions. As the final whistle blew, it was mission accomplished for Witney as both teams swiftly headed to the showers to warm up.
Frome RFC 14 - 19 Witney RFC
Player of the Match: Jake Edwards
