Fakenham 10 - 33 Ipswich YM 13.11.21 London 3 Eastern Counties

Fakenham 10 – 33 Ipswich YM 13.11.21

This week, Fakenham hosted Ipswich YM at the Stringer Ground for the eighth round of London 3 Eastern Counties fixtures. After disappointment at having to concede the game at Newmarket last week, Fakenham were looking for a strong performance here, with some important players coming back from injury helping to bolster the squad. Both teams observed a minute’s silence at the beginning of the game to mark Remembrance Day.

The game started in wet conditions not favourable to free-flowing, running rugby. The opening of the game followed a predictable pattern given the weather, with knock-ons putting an end to a number of attacks and both teams getting in a lot of scrum practice.

Both sides struggled with discipline at the start of the game, giving away a number of penalties. Ipswich YM scored the first points of the game following one such infringement, opting for the posts. It wasn’t long before Fakenham evened things up, fly half Luke Boynes taking the three points on offer when YM gave away a penalty in front of the posts.

Whilst play felt fairly even, Ipswich YM took control of the score with some clinical finishing. A defensive lineout in their own 22 quickly turned into a strong attacking position and a few good phases of play took them into the Fakenham 22. The YM pack produced a number of strong pick and gos to get up to the Fakenham line and it was only a good effort from flanker Patrick Lound that stopped the try, holding the ball up over the line. However, Ipswich YM were playing with an advantage and got the chance to go again. This time they managed to get over the line with their pick and go game, scoring just to the left of the posts, which they promptly converted.

The rest of the first half belonged to Ipswich YM. Another penalty against Fakenham gave YM the chance to kick for the posts, which was once again successful. This was soon followed by a YM try. A scrum on the Fakenham ten metre line was quickly moved out to the Ipswich YM inside centre who, cutting a good line, went straight through to score. He then converted his own try. Just before half time YM scored another penalty, leaving the score 23-3 at half time.

Fakenham needed a good start to the second half and got it immediately. Murray Tindal, back from injury and on as a half time substitute, ran a strong line, going through a number of tackles before being brought down just short of the line. He managed to pop the ball off the ground to inside centre Ashley Stewart, who scored the try. The conversion was duly added by scrum half Harry Richardson.

With Fakenham now thirteen points down, they looked to press and cut the deficit. They spent a lot of time in the Ipswich YM half, however the greasy ball caused a lot of problems. Numerous chances went begging and Fakenham were guilty of trying too hard to force things at times. Ipswich YM, on the other hand, were much more clinical. Winning a penalty in the Fakenham half with only five minutes left, YM kicked the points. Then, as Fakenham tried to play quickly, the Ipswich YM inside centre intercepted a pass and went on to score with the final play of the game. He converted his own try again, leaving him with an impressive 100% record off the tee on the day.

The final score was 33 – 10, a very disappointing result for Fakenham. The second half performance was much improved, but not enough to overcome a physical Ipswich YM team. Fakenham’s Barsham Brewery Man of the Match was second row Adam Lingwood, who put in a very strong performance.

Next week sees the 1st XV away to Thetford in the cup, while the 2nd XV are at home to Crusaders 2nd XV.