Thetford 35 - 17 Fakenham 29.01.22 London 3 Eastern Counties

The fourteenth round of London 3 Eastern Counties fixtures saw Fakenham travel to Thetford. Fakenham ran out comfortable 40 – 12 winners at the Stringer Ground earlier in the season and were hoping for a repeat performance and result.

Playing into a gusty wind in the first half, Fakenham started strongly, retaining the ball well and, with the help of a couple of penalties against Thetford, gained momentum down the pitch. However, despite Fakenham’s possession, it was Thetford who scored first. After regaining possession they moved the ball wide to the right and after some good hands and pace down the wing they went from half way to score. A successful conversion followed.

Thetford then began to take control of the game. They used the wind to their advantage and Fakenham struggled to get out of their own half. Thetford scored another converted try to make the score 14 – 0.

Fakenham continued to look threatening with ball in hand and after managing to hold onto possession for a series of phases, moved into the Thetford half. The ball was eventually worked out to full back Brett Stolworthy wide on the right who dotted over in the corner. The tricky conversion was unsuccessful from outside centre Murray Tindal.

Unfortunately this did not start the fightback that Fakenham had hoped for, as Thetford continued to dominate the game. They scored a third try as they put pressure on the Fakenham try line. Fakenham hooker Rory Singleton turned the ball over well a couple of metres from his own try line, however Fakenham could not secure the ball and after bouncing off a number of legs it was gratefully picked up by a Thetford player who flopped over from close range to score. Another successful conversion followed.

Straight from the resulting kick off, Thetford cut through a disorganised Fakenham defence. The Thetford players supported each other well and good passing interchanges enabled them to move just shy of the Fakenham try line before eventually being brought down. Nonetheless they moved the ball quickly from the base of the ruck and went over again for their bonus point try in the first half. The conversion was successful once again.

There was enough time for Fakenham to have another attack, however they were held up over the line. There were no more scores to leave it 28 – 5 at half time.

Fakenham needed a good start to the second half and that is exactly what they got. They kicked off to Thetford who held onto the ball for a phase. However the Fakenham forwards counter rucked strongly at the next ruck to win back possession near the Thetford 22. The ball was worked out to Tindal to go over. His conversion hit the post but when through to add the extra points.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Fakenham started to dominate field position. Numerous infringements led to 3 Thetford players in total being sin binned, with them down to 13 players for a short period. Thetford managed the yellow card periods much better than Fakenham, retaining the ball and slowing the game down. Nevertheless, Fakenham did manage to make the numbers difference tell as they eventually went over the try line through Tindal on the right hand side. This time his conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the score was 28 – 17.

Fakenham continued to attack Thetford and went through a few phases close to the try line. The Thetford defence held firm and when Fakenham spun the ball out to the right, a Thetford player managed to intercept the ball, just about holding on and racing into the Fakenham half. Some good scramble defence stopped Thetford short, but they recycled the ball well. It looked like they would score but a Thetford player knocked the ball on over the try line under pressure from the Fakenham defence.

Fakenham continued to attack at a high tempo, taking penalties quickly where possible, however they also gave the ball back to Thetford repeatedly through knock ons or other inaccuracies. As a result it was Thetford that went over again next. They worked the ball well through hands wide on the right to put a player in space on the wing who could canter over the line and underneath the posts for their final score. With following conversion successful, it was a 100% success rate from the tee for the Thetford kicker, an impressive feat given the windy conditions.

As the clock ticked into the red, Fakenham had possession of the ball. They attacked in the Thetford half, hoping to get the fourth try bonus point as they had done the previous week. However, a knock on ended those hopes and the game finished 35 – 17.

Thetford were deserved winners on the day, but a disappointing result for Fakenham. Fakenham showed promise in attack, but their errors cost them and they were not strong enough in defence.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match was Murray Tindal, who was a threat with the ball in hand all day and capped it off with two tries.

Next week sees the 2nd XV host Lowestoft and Yarmouth at the Stringer Ground in the cup semi-final, with a 2.30 kick off. Get down and support the boys as they look to make it to cup final day. The next 1st XV game is in two weeks, as Fakenham host Newmarket at the Stringer Ground.