Fakenham's twelfth league fixture of the season saw them welcoming a side at home for the first time in 2026. Unbeaten league leaders Cantabrigian provided a huge challenge at the Stringer Ground, but Fakenham had a 100% home record to defend.

With a dry day and no wind to speak of, it promised to be an entertaining day of rugby for the watching crowd.

The away side got into their stride quickly, scoring a converted try after six minutes.

Soon after, Fakenham got on the scoreboard through a penalty from fly half Lloyd Marshall to cut the deficit.

The home side quickly struck again, after a lineout in the middle of the park was moved to the middle of the pitch, where outside centre Aaron Tagg showed impressive strength to crash through the defensive line. He then put a kick in behind and winger Tom Bane-Young showed there's life in the old legs yet to get onto the end of the ball and touch down for Fakenham's first try. Marshall slotted the conversion from left of the posts to edge his side ahead, 10 - 7.

Cantabs soon hit back with two converted tries to regain the lead, before Fakenham scored again.

A lineout on the 5m line led to a driving maul, with hooker Rory Singleton controlling proceedings at the back before crashing over the line. Marshall was unable to add the extras from wide on the right.

The league leaders then clinched their four try bonus point with another converted score five minutes before the break.

There was just enough time for Marshall to slot another penalty to leave it 18 - 28 at half time.

Despite a couple of promising spells of possession and territory, Fakenham couldn't hold onto the ball long enough to get another score on the board.

Cantabs, on the other hand, managed four more converted tries in the second half, including one from an interception when defending in their own 22.

The whistle blew with the final score 18 - 56. A deserved win for Cantabrigian, who showed their fitness and class to take the game away from Fakenham in the second half.

A brave effort from Fakenham, playing once more with a depleted squad, showing their quality in places, but not consistently enough.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to number eight Howard Kellock, who was tireless in defence and attack. An honourable mention to the tight five who scrummaged incredibly well to win a couple of penalties and trouble Cantabs throughout.

Thank you to Katering 4U for the tasty post match curry.

Thanks to James Peeling for the quality match photos once again.

Next week sees Fakenham make the trip to Wymondham to take on their 2s. Come along and support the boys in what is always a closely contested encounter.