Frampton Cotterell 7 Minchinhampton 28

Fram welcomed today’s visitors Minchinhampton and it was great to see the sun make a return to what was a very entertaining game between these two strong packs.

We were all very pleased to see a new additional to the green jersey in Luke and with Adam refereeing we were off !

An even start saw both sides sounding each other out with Minch nearly taking an early lead but for a great tackle by Mike. Fram were then on the attack but Gabe was held up by three players from the opposition. The deadlock was broken when the Fram defence were caught napping and a quick penalty was pushed wide for a try in the corner, with the conversion kicked the quarter ended 0-7.

A more determined Fram in the second period and strong defence by Olley, Rory and Roy kept the visitors out. At the other end Nick was nearly through but was tagged a couple of metres from the line and pushed out. An injury to Marcus saw a short break in the game but he certainly wasn’t down and out as we will see later ! Play resumed and Fram pushed again, a penalty by Lewis nearly resulting in a score but the quarter ended scoreless.

Minch scored again early in the third period when following a lineout the ball was passed along the line for the score in the corner. Their lead was extended when from a scrum the ball was moved wide and a dive in the corner resulted in the ball crossing the line. Fram were not giving in though and the coaches were giving the boys plenty of encouragement. Charlie, Finn and Jamie were giving their all but the home side were just not getting the breaks. Good determination from Matt and a powerful push by Luke meant Fram progressed up field but they could not find the telling pass.

The final period began in much the same tone and a kick out by Minch bounced favourably and despite Ben’s best efforts the ball was picked up for the try. Fram were determined to get on the scoresheet though and a brilliant run by Jack nearly saw the breakthrough. However following a scrum the ball went wide and a metre out from the line the ball was stripped but the momentum of the ball carried it over the line and two Fram players dived in and it was Marcus that got the telling touch for the try. With Jack converting this made the final score 7-28.

A tough game today with the score line not doing the home side justice but a lot of effort put in and with a week off next weekend we are sure the boys will come fighting back.