Fakenham 2nd 85 – Norwich 3rd 0 – Eastern Counties 4N

This was a largely one-sided affair after Norwich had travelled lighter on players than the baggage allowance on an EasyJet flight. The game started at a tremendous pace with Jonathan Kettell crossing the white wash, for the first of his hatrick of tries after just 90seconds. This set the tone for the rest of the game as a total of fifteen tries were scored including four from Ian Williamson although the last of them could have been more generous to those around him. The highlight of the day was the mazy bullocking run from captain fantastic Craig Orion White, which ended with a winger like finish for a try in the corner. The floodgates were opened despite a brave defence from Norwich and very soon Fakenham were almost literally scoring at will, including long-range tries from Nathan Wilson and Jack Lowin-Green. Josh Sperring was outstanding at full back with an unbelievable try

saving tackle early on followed up by a high-class short-range finish under the posts. Not be upstaged by his brother Josh, Declan Sperring, one of the most improved players of the season, finished a try of his own with a selection of outrageous steps and jinks before touching down over the line. Matthew King and Nick Mathers followed this up with tries of their own shortly after. There was plenty to take away from this fixture for the home side as finishing could have been far more clinical, in particular a gilt edged chance that was butchered by Jack Moore who has been away at university and has perhaps been enjoying himself more than training. Kicking was also a big disappointment and it fell to a six foot eleven inch second rower in Nathan Wilson to steady the kicking performance with pinpoint accurate conversions from hand.

The win leaves Fakenham’s 2nd XV 4 points clear of Broadland Gt Yarmouth 2nd at the top of the table, with next week’s away game against third place Medic’s 2nd looking a possibly tricky fixture as their 1st XV do not have a game that day. The following week will probably be the decider for promotion to Division 3 next season, as Fakenham will host Broadland Gt Yarmouth 2nd in their penultimate league game of the season. The game on Saturday (at Lakenham Hewitt) starts officially at 3:00pm but could be possibly earlier with 6 Nations action on the same day.