WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 5

FROME 28

WEYMOUTH & Portland endured an out-of-character home 28-5 defeat by Frome in their Counties One Tribute Southern South contest at Monmouth Avenue.

The Seahorses are known for their combative and positive play on home turf but inexplicably strayed from their gameplan against the Somerset side.

Added to poor discipline, Rich Bament’s men frequently found themselves under pressure and rarely built any of their own as the penalty count rose.

Frome broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when flanker Elike Bainmoli crashed through under the posts, James Howard converting.

READ MORE: Weymouth & Portland 36-26 Dorchester - report

Howard made it 10-0 as Weymouth & Portland were penalised at the breakdown but the Seahorses responded when Matt Savage’s clever kick was collected by Reece Makin to score in the corner for what would prove to be the hosts’ only try.

Frome stepped up their level in the second half as winger Sam Cassidy blazed through for 15-5.

Another Seahorses misdemeanour, this time for offside, then enabled Frome to setup a lineout and Zach Bartlett reacted quickest to the knockdown for 20-5.

And Frome made it three tries in the second half as Howard earned a penalty, from which the Somerset side tapped quickly to set up Cory Plummidge on the wing for a try out wide.

Howard then completed the scoring when Weymouth & Portland conceded another penalty.

Speaking to Echosport, Bament voiced his frustration after the match far from went to plan.

He said: “We were the architects of our own downfall, we didn’t play well at all.

“We didn’t stick to our gameplan, we didn’t execute everything how we should’ve. It was a bit of a hard watch for me.

“I was frustrated but also disappointed in the guys, to be honest. Not one of their better performances of the year.

“Frome, don’t take it away from them, they won fair and square and the result shows that, but I think we could’ve put in a better performance with the team we put out.”

Asked why the Seahorses had erred from their blueprint, Bament added: “I’ve got no idea, to be honest.

“Our discipline was shocking, that’s a personal thing the players have got to sort out. A few too many high tackles and a bit of backchat, which doesn’t go down well in rugby.

“Every time we did something good, we gave away a penalty which brought pressure on ourselves. It’s been the story of our season.

“We had two or three good scoring opportunities but ill-discipline cost us.”

Bament’s men have this weekend off before returning to action at Yeovil on Saturday, March 16.