Fakenham's final game of the season saw them travel to West Norfolk Rugby Club, where they faced the hosts of the Norfolk Big Rugby Weekend in the Norfolk Intermediate Cup Final.

This was the third time these sides met this season, with each team claiming a win from their home fixtures in the league. These results, combined with the dry playing conditions, promised some exciting rugby for the decent crowd.

The game started at a fast pace, with Fakenham winger Lewis Hall held up over the line in the left hand corner in the first few minutes.

After that fast start, West Norfolk took control of the territory for the majority of the first half. Fakenham's defensive effort was very impressive initially, keeping their opponents out despite sustained press.

Nonetheless, West Norfolk eventually got the rewards for their control of territory and possession, scoring their first try to break the deadlock, though it went unconverted.

Ten minutes later, West Norfolk extended their lead with another unconverted try, before running a third try in almost straight from the restart, this one converted. With the score 17 - 0, things were starting to look ominous for Fakenham.

However, Fakenham showed their fighting spirit to come back into the game. First to score was outside centre Aaron Tagg, going over on the left. He was unable to convert his own score.

Shortly thereafter inside centre and captain Murray Tindal scored with the final play of the half, breaking through the line before dotting down under the posts. Tagg successfully added the conversion this time, to make it 17 - 12 at the break.

Fakenham got the important first score after the break, as their scrum dominance paid dividends when they drove over from a scrum on the West Norfolk 5m line. Scrum half Harry Richardson managed to be the one to dot the ball down at the base of the scrum as it drove over the line. Tagg’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful this time to leave the scores even.

A significant period of stalemate went by as neither side could take the lead despite opportunities. Eventually it was West that got their noses back in front through a penalty kick.

Yet, this lead didn't last long, as Fakenham made ground down the right through a well worked lineout, before spreading the ball wide to the left. There it found Adam Lingwood, having come onto the wing (believe it or not) as a substitute early in the game, who got over in the corner to give Fakenham the lead for the first time. Tagg's conversion was unsuccessful to put it at 20 - 22.

West Norfolk were not ready to let the game go and fought back themselves. They scored an unconverted try to regain the lead, before putting the ball back into Fakenham's territory.

With Fakenham needing to score, they went down to 13 players through yellow cards for cumulative infringements. As the clock ticked into the red, Fakenham had possession in their own 22 and had to try and run it out. Unfortunately, they knocked the ball on and West Norfolk regained possession, spread the ball wide and ran in their fifth and final try to end the game. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, though the game was already over, the final score 30 - 22.

Congratulations to West Norfolk for lifting the Norfolk Intermediate Cup this year. It was an exciting game for the crowd, with the result in the balance until the dying moments.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to flanker Howard Kellock, who carried and tackled well throughout.

Thank you to James Peeling for the match photos today and throughout the season. The boys always enjoy looking for a dashing new profile picture for themselves.

Thank you to Katering 4U for the match teas they have provided at home games throughout the season, they have always gone down very well.

Thank you to everyone that came and supported the boys, they were as loud as the support for West Norfolk at their own club. Thank you for your continued support throughout the season.

As the season comes to an end, so does Rob Ward's time with the first team. He has been an integral part since he joined in the 2017/18 season. Having initially retired a couple of seasons ago, there may be a few sceptics, but he is pretty adamant this time that he is finished with first team rugby. You'll see him on the second team pitch though, and in his role as President.

The player's dinner is still to come, but then a deserved summer of rest, recovery and watching the lions batter Australia. We'll see you when the season returns.