Fakenham travelled to Thurston after a couple of weeks off from first team rugby, although the 2s did well in the meantime. Both Fakenham and Thurston had tough starts to the season and were looking to get back to winning ways.

Games between these sides have always been exciting encounters and with a dry, still day the stage was set for more enjoyable rugby. There was strong support for Thurston on the sidelines, along with a decent travelling contingent for Fakenham.

The home side started the game strongly, with powerful carries taking them into Fakenham territory. Thurston finished the try off and knocked over the conversion to take a seven point lead.

Fakenham cut the deficit through the boot of fly half and captain Lloyd Marshall. A penalty in front of the posts gave him a simple kick for three points.

Shortly after, Thurston scored two unconverted tries in five minutes to open their lead to 14 points.

Just before half time, Fakenham fought back to halve the deficit. After turning the ball over, the away side put a long kick in behind, with inside centre Jordii Walker showing pace to get to the ball first, gather it in and dive under the posts. Marshall slotted the straightforward conversion to bring his side seven points adrift.

The half time whistle was blown with the score 17 - 10.

The second half started exactly as Fakenham would have hoped. Outside centre Aaron Tagg scored two quick fire tries, both converted by Marshall, in the first seven minutes of the half to take Fakenham into the lead for the first time.

Marshall then slotted another straightforward penalty from in front of the posts to give Fakenham a ten point lead.

Thurston soon struck back with their fourth try to secure the try bonus point, although it went unconverted.

Tagg then continued his onslaught with two more tries from lung busting runs, one of which was after a timely interception when Thurston were putting in a promising attack. Marshall slotted one of the conversions to give Fakenham a commanding lead.

Enough about Aaron. Another Fakenham score followed, but from a different source. As they broke through, good interplay between a number of players led to returning flanker Sam Woodsmann drawing the final defender before giving the ball to fellow back row James Howell. An easy run in under the posts allowed for another straightforward conversion for Marshall.

Tagg felt he hadn't scored enough, so decided to have the final say with yet another try. Once more Marshall slotted the extras.

There were no more points so the score at the final whistle was 22 - 51, an impressive fightback from Fakenham to get their first win on the road this season.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to inside centre Jordii Walker, who carried and tackled hard throughout the game. Tagg only scored five tries, bottled scoring a sixth, so wasn't deserving of the award.

Thank you to all those that travelled to support Fakenham today, it was much appreciated.

There is no game next week, the first team are next in action on the 22nd, at home. So come down to the Stringer Ground and support the boys.