Saturday 10th April 2010
Frampton Cotterell  43     Ross on Wye  7

DETERMINED FRAMPTON TAKE CHARGE AGAINST ROSS
 
With the sun shining and supporters plentiful, Frampton Cotterell enjoyed a convincing win over visitors Ross on Wye at the weekend.

Things didn’t start too convincingly as Frampton were caught offside early on giving Ross the chance to gain first blood, but the kick was put wide of the posts.

With just 5 minutes gone centre Besta was forced to leave the field with a knee injury making way for Smye.

Soon after Frampton pressured the visitors and after great forward play, Ross were penalised for an infringement as they struggled to contend with the Frampton pack. Unfortunately, fly half Lawrence was off target with the kick.

Frampton then began to gain momentum and with great supportive play amongst the forwards, No8 Dean Morsner, playing his last home game for the club, powered over for the try with Lawrence adding the extra 2 points.

Soon after, Frampton thought they had increased their lead as a flowing backs move saw winger Alex Giles cross the line but he was deemed to be off side.

Frampton continued to pressurise and after Smye chipped the ball past the Ross defence winger Giles was quick to react only to see the ball bobble over the dead ball line.
 
Frampton forwards continued to dominate and eased their way closer to their opponent’s line. With some close phase ball from around the ruck, prop Mark Smith scooped up the ball and with the Frampton pack behind he was driven over the line to extend the lead with Lawrence slotting home the conversion to make the half time score 14 – 0.

Frampton were in charge from the restart with the forwards keeping their opponents on the back foot. With a scrum awarded close to the try line, Morsner sensed a pick up was worth a shot and was rewarded with a try as he powered over, Mike Ashwin calmly stepped up to add the additional 2 points.

With the backs not wanting to be out shone by the forwards, some quick hands from scrum half ‘Rocco’, saw Ashwin break through the Ross line to cross the line for a try of his own but unfortunately was short with the conversion attempt.

From the restart things went very much to the book, with the forwards gathering the ball cleanly, quick ball out to the backs which flowed along the line to allow winger Giles to stride over for another Frampton try which was unconverted.

A slight lapse in concentration and a ball handling error then allowed the visitors to capitalise and cross the line for their only try of the game.
 
With Frampton back in control, and into the last quarter of the game, fly half Lawrence was keen to make amends for his sin binning and a quick break from the ruck saw him touch down but his conversion attempt fell short.
 
Frampton were determined to finish strongly and with another strong scrum from the forwards the ball was whipped out to winger Giles who outpaced his opposite number to score his second try which was converted by Lawrence
 
Final score      Frampton 43      Ross on Wye 7
 
Man of the Match Alex Moore

Saturday 20th March 2010
Old Richians 20        Frampton Cotterell  8

FRAMPTON FORWARDS DOMINATE BUT NARROWLY BEATEN LATE ON

After a close match with Cirencester last week, Frampton were determined to continue their current good form as they visited Old Richians.

Frampton started well and the forwards dominated the play. Locks Gallagher and Adams were particularly influential and they were rewarded for their efforts after 10 minutes as Frampton crossed the line for the first try of the game. Lawrence pushed the ball wide with his conversion attempt.
 
Frampton continued to dominant for the next 5 minutes of the game and played some good rugby in rather damp conditions.

Upon 19 minutes, Old Richians equalised with an unconverted try.
 
The remainder of the first half was evenly contested with both sides putting good phases of rugby together.
 
Half Time score 5 - 5
 
The home side started the second half with fresh determination and were awarded a penalty within the first minute but it went just wide of the upright.
 
With Smye on for Belston and Griffiths on for Jones, Frampton upped their game and pressurised the home side with strong running and good angles of attack.

With 10 minutes gone they were awarded a penalty which Lawrence converted giving the visitors a slender lead.

The turning point of the game came a minute later when Mark Smith was sent to the bin. The home side capitalised and ran in 2 tries during the next 10 minutes one of which was converted.

A missed penalty for Richians kept the score to 17-8 and Frampton still considered themselves in the game. Again they stepped up a gear, and with strong forward play they inched their way into the opponents half. Another good scrum saw the Frampton pack drive over for what seemed like a certain try but it was deemed to be held up.

Richians then sealed the win with a late penalty making the score 20 – 8.

Good performances were had by Gallagher, Adams who showed plenty of strength in driving the ball forward and Mark Davis as always had a good game. He was all over the field like a rash!

Saturday 13th March 2010
Frampton Cotterell  17        Cirencester  27

Frampton played host to 3rd placed side Cirencester at the weekend and made a good account of themselves.

The game started with a fast pace with both sides eager to get into their stride. The visitors were first to get on the scoreboard with a converted try in the corner after 8 minutes.

This was replied minutes later after the strength of the Frampton pack showed releasing the ball out to centre Mike Ashwin who went over for the try. Unfortunately, Matt Lawrence was just wide with the conversion attempt.

The game continued evenly for quite a spell with just a penalty each keeping the score at 8 – 10.

Frampton lock Stewart was strong in the loose and the combination of Rocco and Lawrence kept the phases of play going.

With minutes before the end of the half a lapse in concentration saw Cirencester go over for a try and successfully converting between the posts.

Half time score  8  -  17

With captain Matt Leek forced to leave the field at half time, John Alston made his appearance in the back row.

The away side were first to strike in the second half but missing the conversion.

Frampton battled on and played some good rugby with a lot of passion. Their determination paid off when Lock Stewart went over for an unconverted try.

Ash Stanton then made way for Andy Parsons making his 3rd appearance in the first team and making a good account of himself with some strong tackling in defence.

As Frampton strived for an all important score, Lawrence was unable to ground the ball as they pressured their opponent’s line knocking on at the last moment.

A final try from the visitors at the end of the game sealed their victory but Frampton were more than competitive throughout. Another good display.

Final result
Frampton 13   Cirencester  27

Saturday 6th March 2010
1st XV v Old Colstonians
FRAMPTON DOMINATE AT OLD C’s

Frampton travelled to local rivals Old C’s at the weekend looking to regain their form of past weeks after the heavy loss to Matson last week.

Frampton started well with the first 10 mins of the game  being played in their opponents half but a series of handling errors stopped them from putting points on the board. Old C’s then managed to kick the ball down field and after Frampton gave a penalty away Old C's claimed the first points on the board.

Frampton answered with 3 points of their own just 2mins later by the sure footed Lawrence. Frampton continued to put some good phases of play together and were unlucky not to put points on the board. Frampton then conceded another penalty and the home side took the points.

During the second quarter Frampton upped their game and became the dominant side. After 3 scrummages on Old C's 5m line No8 Morsner went over to score his and Frampton’s first Try with Lawrence converting.

Frampton continued to dominate up front and a succession of phases saw Morsner crash over for his second try. Lawrence again was successful with the conversion.
 
Half Time score 6 - 17
 
Frampton were caught napping early in the second half when the home side took a very quick line out and went over to score their first and only try of the game but were unsuccessful with the conversion. Old C’s then kicked another penalty to close the gap.
 
Frampton then raised their game again and took a stronghold. Some frustration crept into Old C’s game and with their pack struggling to contend with the strength of Frampton their No8 found himself in the sin bin for a high tackle. Frampton capitalised on this with another Try this time from Lawrence but unfortunately his conversion was a little short of the mark.
 
Captain Matt Leek then took a knock to the nose and came off with a blood injury. Unfortunately, replacement Matt Jones, found himself in the sin bin minutes after coming on to the field. With both sides down to 14 men Frampton surged forward to cross the line again but a deemed forward pass prevented the try.
 
The last quarter of the game was contested strongly but Frampton retained the upper hand. Prop Smith was then sin binned for uncertain reasons but Frampton, down to 13 men were dominant, and were unfortunate not to put more points on the board after Lawrence put a penalty kick just wide and after crossing Old C’s line again a try was not given after it was deemed the ball was held up.

Frampton kept up the momentum in the last 5 minutes of the game and were determined to put the game out of reach. With another great scrum from the pack Morsner peeled off the back to score his third try of the game. Lawrence safely converted.

An important result for Frampton after last weeks loss and great to be back on winning form.

Man of the match Dean Morsner.
 
Final Score Old C's 14 Frampton Cotterell 29

Saturday 6th February 2010
Frampton Cotterell  30    -    Tewkesbury  10
FRAMPTON STEP UP A GEAR

Frampton Cotterell played host to Tewkesbury at the weekend looking for another win on the back of last weeks,  and the home crowd were not too be disappointed as Frampton played some of the best rugby seen for some time.

The game kicked off and Frampton started at a ferocious pace looking to start as they meant  to go on. The Frampton forwards were rampant and after only 10 minutes they were awarded a penalty which unfortunately fly half Lawrence slotted wide. The whole of the first half saw Frampton camped out in their opponents 22. With both forwards and backs seeming to dominate Frampton crossed the line for what looked like the games first try but it was deemed to be held up. A scrum was called 5 metres out where the Frampton pack took charge and drove the ball over the line with Captain Matt Leek scoring the try and Lawrence converting.

10mins later Frampton had another try held up and this brought the half time score to just 7 – 0. Frampton were unlucky not to be another 2 scores ahead.

Frampton started the second half much the same as the first and were quickly up into their opponents 22 and had a try disallowed just 2 minutes in.

Frampton kept up the pressure much to the pleasure of the crowd and after 10 minutes they were awarded a penalty but Lawrence was just off target but regained his composure and slotted over a further penalty 4 minutes later.

Matt Leek then left the field and was replaced by Gwillum Thomas.

With a burst of drive from Tewksbury Frampton found themselves in there own 22 and conceded a penalty allowing them to pull back 3 points.

Scrum half Smye was then replaced by Paul ‘Rocco’ Whitehead making his return after being out most of the season with a broken ankle.

Frampton continued with their attacking play and Lawrence scored another penalty to bring the score to 13 – 3.

The home side really then put the pressure on and opened up Tewkesbury backs. With fast clean passing from Rocco the back line dominated play and soon put winger Alex Giles in for his first try of the game.

It wasn’t long before the same pattern of play put them on the score sheet again. The forwards drove forward and exchanged passed up the middle of the park with flankers Matt Jones and Mark Davies being particularly influential. The ball was again moved out swiftly along the line allowing Giles to go over in the corner for his second try which was converted by Lawrence.

From the restart Frampton were quick off the mark and pressurising their opponents. The front five worked hard and drove their opponents back over their line but again the try was held up but as play was resumed the ball went back to winger Sam Jones who tore down the wing to secure the try which was unconverted.

It was obvious the hard work had taken it out of the Frampton boys which did allow the away side to slip in at the end for a converted try.

Tewkesbury then lost one of their flankers to the bin for stamping and Frampton tried to capitalise on this giving one last effort and having a further potential try held up on the final whistle.

Final Score Frampton 30 Tewkesbury 10

A fantastic team performance from Frampton and one to build on. Great performance were had by Lawrence, Giles and Belsten but Man of the Match went to flanker Matt Jones.

Gloucester Premiership Result
Saturday 30th January 2010
Gloucester Old Boys  12    Frampton Cotterell  20

Gloucester Premiership Result
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Whitehall  32    Frampton Cotterell  7

Saturday 12^th December 2009
FRAMPTON EARN HARD FOUGHT VICTORY AT ROSS ON WYE

Frampton Cotterell travelled to Ross on Wye at the weekend and had to work hard to come away with the win.

Things did not start well when flanker Plant had to leave the field after only 90 seconds after tearing a hamstring. This made way for player/coach Paul Beet. Frampton felt themselves under pressure early on and some ball handling errors kept them on the back foot but good defensive work kept the home side at bay. At the 10 minute mark Frampton were dealt another blow when No8 Morsner received a bad injury to his knee causing him to leave the field. With Moore now on the field, and Bennett at flanker, Beet was forced to take up the No8 spot which he fulfilled well throughout the game with both strong running and defensive work.

Frampton began to settle down and get into their stride and slowly they made their way up the pitch against a bigger set of forwards. After some controlled phases from Frampton and strong running they were awarded a penalty as Ross were deemed to kill the ball. This made way for Lawrence to attempt the 3 points but early nerves pushed the ball wide.

Ross then enjoyed a good spell and some lapse tackling saw Frampton on their own line but a try attempt was held up again after good defensive work.

With Smye being instrumental at scrum half the Frampton backs then put some good phases of play together with some great ball handling. The game continued to be close and tension was creeping in with both sides trying to show their dominance.

After 23 minutes Frampton were then awarded a penalty which Lawrence slotted over helping to calm things down.

Ross then stepped up a gear and Frampton found themselves on the back foot with the home side crossing the line and getting the conversion.

The half time talk from Beet raised the Frampton spirit and they started the second half the stronger side. Frampton forwards started to dominate and great runs from beet and Davies saw Frampton gaining ground. With 4 minutes into the half the ball was moved wide and fly half Lawrence skipped through the Ross back line to go over for the try which he also converted.

Frustration started to set in for the home side and a series of offsides saw their flanker sent to the bin. Unfortunately, soon after Frampton saw their flanker also sent to the bin,

Frampton continued to apply the pressure with some good set plays but just couldn’t finish.

Ross again were caught offside as Frampton neared their opponent’s line and Lawrence stepped up to slot home the penalty.

A further penalty offence soon after saw Lawrence fail to hit the sticks.

With Beet being instrumental at the back and really urging the team on, Frampton played some good rugby and worked hard up front against the larger Ross pack. With a lineout 10 yards out the Frampton pack won the lineout and drove towards the line. With their opponents being sucked in Scrum half Smye took his chance and peeled off the back of the maul to dart down the blind side and cross the line for Frampton’s second try which was converted by Lawrence.

This spurred on the home side and they replied with a try of their own but missing the conversion.

Frampton dug deep and worked hard in the final plays of the game and rounded off a hard fought win with a penalty from Lawrence to bring the final score to 17 – 23.

A good win for the boys and 2 points to keep them in a healthy position in the table.

Saturday 14th November 2009
FRAMPTON SECURE DRAW AGAINST MATSON

Frampton Cotterell played host to Matson at the weekend and were unlucky not to come away with their 3^rd consecutive league win.

With conditions being wet and windy both sides opted to keep the ball close and play a lot of rugby in the forwards. With only 2 minutes into the game Matson gave away a penalty which Matt Lawrence unfortunately missed. Five minutes later Matson responded with a successful drop goal to give them a 3-0 lead.

Frampton then really turned on the pressure and found themselves camped in their opponents half for much of the first half. Aggressive attacks continually put Matson of the back foot but silly errors stopped any points being added. Frampton didn’t give up and found themselves over the line only for the try to be held up but a further scrum saw No 8 Dean Morsner pick up and power over for the try. Lawrence was wide with the conversion but was spot on with another penalty just before half time.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Frampton applying the pressure and attacking their opponent’s line. With just 3 mins into the second half Frampton worked their way over the line only for it to be deemed held up. Again after a 5 metre scrum Morsner picked up and crashed over for his and the teams second try which was converted by Lawrence.

In the last quarter of the game possession had shifted and Frampton rallied hard in defence to hold up a Matson try but couldn't quite secure possession and eventually conceded an unconverted try a minute later.

In the dying minutes of the game Matson scored a controversial try under the posts which was easily converted to give them the draw and a sigh of relief from the crowd.

Frampton will be pleased with the point but disappointed not coming away with the win. Another gutsy performance especially from man of the match prop, Mark Smith.

Saturday 7th November 2009
FRAMPTON OUTPLAY BATTLING HUCCLECOTE

Frampton Cotterell continued their winning form at the weekend by beating Hucclecote away from home in the league.

Frampton started well and the forwards worked hard to get in their opponents 22. After only 5 minutes No.8 Morsner made a charge and drove over the line for the games first try. A successful conversion by Lawrence gave Frampton a 7 nil lead. Frampton continued the good start playing some good rugby but they had to work hard with Hucclecote raising their game of previous weeks to make it a good contest.

After 15 minutes fullback Murphy was replaced by Belsten after he suffered an eye injury.
The next 15 minutes was evenly contested until Hucclecote were deemed offside at the ruck giving Lawrence the chance to add the points with the boot but this one was pulled wide.

Frampton pushed all the way to the end of the first half and after good handling amongst the backs replacement fullback Belsten cut a great angle to get Frampton’s second try just before the half time whistle. Again the boot of Lawrence just pulled the kick wide but Frampton led 0 – 12 at the break.

Saturday 31st October 2009
FRAMPTON SECURE 2ND LEAGUE WIN

Frampton Cotterell overcame a resilient travelling Gloucester Old Boys team to pick up a league win and kick start their season.

Old Boys, who have found themselves at the bottom of the league, found themselves 6-nil down after 10 minutes after the reliable boot of fly half Matt Lawrence, making his league debut for the club, giving the hosts the lead. Gloucester soon rallied back with a well worked try of their own but were unable to add the extras.

Frampton, after much pressure and an Alex Moore try disallowed, were finally rewarded with a converted penalty try on 30 minutes after great work at the scrum. Frampton were reduced to 14 men when centre Simon Belsten was sin binned for killing the ball but this did not stop Alex Giles cushioning Frampton’s lead before the half time whistle with an unconverted try.

The game tightened in the second half to remain at 18 – 5 at the final whistle.

Saturday 24th October 2009
FRAMPTON UPBEAT AFTER IMPRESSIVE WIN

A five match losing streak urged Frampton to look for a positive result in this first round match of the Charles Saunder Ltd Vase Competition and that’s exactly what they did from the outset.

Frampton applied the early pressure with the forwards working hard in the loose and working up the field with some good phases of play. They were soon rewarded by their efforts when the ball was flung out by scrum half Smye who found newly returning stand off Matt Lawrence who broke the opposition’s line for the first try of the game.

An off the ball event then saw Frampton down to 14 men after 20 minutes but this was not about to affect the players. Further pressure and good phases of play allowed flanker Mark Davies to go over for Frampton’s second try.

After a positive first half Frampton were determined to up their game put the game beyond reach of Ashley Down. An injury to No 8 Dean Morsner saw March Chadwick come off the bench and with only a few minutes into his game and 11 minutes into the second half he drove over for his first senior try after being with the club for seven years. A successful conversion was taken by Lawrence.

Frampton continued to apply the pressure and both forwards and backs linked well with the backs eventually putting in both wingers, Phil Murphy and debutant Sam Jones for well worked tries.

Ashley Down then put their first points on the board with a try in the last quarter of the game after some defensive errors from the home side. This only urged Frampton on and with some strong running between the forwards they answered with another try this time from lock John Stewart. Frampton now had a comfortable lead 32 – 5 and this was further extended when Nathan Fly added 3 points with a beautifully positioned drop goal.

Ashley Down had the last word scoring an unconverted try on the final whistle to give Frampton an impressive 35 -10 win

This was a long awaited win for Frampton. The lads worked well as a team and played some good rugby but still need to work on their discipline to stop the penalties being given against them. Never the less it was a good win and something to build upon for next weeks league match against Gloucester Old Boys.