Fakenham's fifteenth league game of the season saw them host Thurston at the Stringer Ground. Fakenham were still looking for their first win of 2026 and were hoping to repeat their victory at Thurston earlier in the season.

Although it threatened to rain throughout, thankfully the precipitation stayed away and allowed the players to put on an entertaining game for the crowd.

Fakenham went on the offensive early on, but let their opponents off by giving away a penalty or knocking on with the line beckoning.

Nonetheless they got their first points on the board after ten minutes through the boot of fly half Lloyd Marshall, kicking a penalty from in front of the posts.

Soon after, the home side got their first try of the game. A solid scrum on the left gave the backs the chance to unleash, with outside centre Aaron Tagg putting full back Murray Tindal through a hole after a well worked move. Tindal supplied the pace and power to finish off the try just to the left of the posts, with Marshall making no mistake from the tee for the conversion.

Tindal got his second try shortly before half time, with Marshall adding an impressive conversion 5m from the right hand touch line.

The score at the break was 17 - 0.

The second half began evenly, with defenses winning out as neither side could find a score. Knock ons, penalties and solid defense put the end to a number of promising attacks for both teams.

Tindal finally completed his hat trick with fifteen minutes to go. A Fakenham lineout on the left was worked out to the backs, where Tindal hit a good line to burst through, once more using his pace to finish off the score. Marshall slotted the conversion.

Fakenham finally got the try bonus point shorty before the end of the game. With a scrum in their own 22, they worked the ball wide left where replacement winger Josh Sperring showed impressive, unexpected pace for an old boy. He sped down the wing, hoping the whole time for support to arrive on the inside. Eventually, after the winger had made it into Thurston's half, Tindal arrived to offer assistance. Sperring passed the ball inside and once more Tindal showed his wheels to get away from the covering defence and score his and his side's fourth try in the left hand corner. This time Marshall was unable to make the conversion from wide out.

Thurston fought hard throughout, and had a lineout on Fakenham's 5m line with the last play to try and get some points on the board. However some impressive maul defence from the Fakenham pack kept them out, and the final whistle went with the score 29 - 0.

A great result for Fakenham as they look to regain the form they showed before Christmas.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match inevitably went to Murray Tindal after his four tries. As well as his prowess in attack, he put in some big shots in defence.

Thank you to Katering 4U for the match teas enjoyed so much by the players.

Thank you to James Peeling for the match photos.

Next week sees Fakenham travel the long journey to Mistley, who will be looking to avenge their 16 - 18 defeat at the hands of Fakenham at the Stringer Ground earlier in the season. All travelling support would be much appreciated.