FROME snatched a playoff place with this win and Wootton Bassett's loss at Tadley, their superior points difference pitting them against Southern Counties North outfit Henley on Saturday for a place in South West Two next season.

Minety worked hard but ended their frustrating league season as they had begun, outrun and outplayed by a faster and fitter side.

Frome are finishing the season with a flurry after their Bath Combination Plate win at the Rec last Wednesday night, and they showed no signs of soreness, opening the scoring after only seven minutes at Minety.

Flinging around a surprisingly slippery ball had its risks, as the visitors discovered some five minutes later when they coughed up possession during a passing move in Minety's 22.

Ryan Dowling was onto the ball in a flash, hacking it solidly away downfield. Following up his own kick, he showed considerable speed and excellent skill as he continued to kick the ball on. Twice, Frome players sought to drop on the ball, but each time they failed to control it and the persistent Dowling was finally able to touch it down over the line for a remarkable individual try which he then capped by kicking the conversion.

The scores stayed level until five minutes before half-time, when Frome ran in three very quick tries to take the advantage.

A beautifully struck penalty goal from Dowling some 35 metres out then earned Minety three more points and the sides turned round with the score at 10-26 in the visitors' favour.

After the interval, however, Frome upped the pace and soon left the home team trailing in their wake. Playing down the slope and creating overlaps apparently at will, they ran in six tries without reply.

This Saturday, Minety host an invitation seven-a-side tournament.