Fakenham's fifth league game of the season saw them host Wisbech at the Stringer Ground. After a week off, the boys were looking to get back into it and put in a strong performance.

The tough games are coming thick and fast, as third placed Fakenham took on second placed Wisbech, another side that came down from the league above.

With rain before kick off and through most of the first half, conditions were tricky and not conducive to an expansive game. There was a big crowd nonetheless, as a pre match luncheon, sponsored by Bruce Towers and Sons, warmed the attendees up nicely. Thank you very much to Bayfield Catering for the food enjoyed by everyone.

It was the home side that got onto the scoreboard first. After five minutes Fakenham won a penalty in a kickable position, which fly half Lloyd Marshall gratefully took on. He slotted the kick to give Fakenham the lead.

For almost the whole rest of the half, neither side was able to add to score. The weather contributed to added knock ons, interrupting the flow of the game and putting an end to promising attacks. Wisbech spent a significant amount of time attacking the Fakenham line, but a very impressive rearguard effort kept them at bay. This was typified by senior winger Jonathan Kettell, who put in a try saving challenge as Wisbech went over the line, to force a knock on.

Nevertheless, Wisbech eventually managed to convert their pressure into points. A penalty right at the end of the half gave them the chance to level things up. Their fly half bisected the posts with the final act of the half to level things up 3 - 3 at the break.

The away side continued where they left off, immediately going on the offensive at the start of the half. This time Fakenham's defense couldn't hold out and Wisbech powered over the line after just three minutes. The conversion from the middle of the pitch was successful.

However it only took a couple of minutes for Fakenham to strike back. A scrum on the right hand side, in Wisbech’s half, gave Fakenham the chance to run a strike move. With a solid platform set by the forwards, the ball was worked to the left before an inside ball met the onrushing full back Murray Tindal on a very good line. He cut through the defensive line before stepping the final defender and dotting down underneath the posts. Marshall slotted the simple conversion to even the scores up.

Ten minutes later, Wisbech retook the lead. With Fakenham down to 14 men after a cumulation of penalties led to a yellow card, the away side took advantage of their numerical superiority to score again. Another successful conversion followed to open up a seven point lead.

The next score was obviously crucial and it was Wisbech that got it. After being kept out for a few phases, they worked the ball to the left and got over the line to take them two scores ahead, although the conversion was unsuccessful.

Fakenham had ten minutes to turn things around and though they tried their utmost, they were unable to breach the Wisbech line. The game ended with a knock on as Fakenham pressed inside their opponents 22, leaving the final score at 10 - 22.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to flanker Pat Casey, who was strong in the lineout and tireless around the pitch.

Thank you very much to Katering 4U for the match teas enjoyed by both sides.

Match photos from James Peeling to follow.

Next week the boys host Woodbridge at the Stringer Ground. It was a win each last season so promises to be a good game. Come down and support the boys as they look to get back to winning ways.