Fakenham's twelfth league fixture of the season saw them host Thurston at the Stringer Ground. Fakenham won a close fought contest at Thurston earlier in the season, so this promised to be another tight affair.

A sold out prematch Christmas luncheon by Bayfield Catering provided a bumper crowd and thankfully the weather was much better this week, with the sun out despite the bitter cold.

The home side came out of the traps quickly, scoring within the first few minutes. A Fakenham lineout 10m from the Thurston was thrown over the back to the onrushing number eight Rob Ward, who powered over the line with defenders hanging off him. Fly half Lloyd Marshall nailed a decent conversion from the left hand side.
Just five minutes later, Fakenham attacked from their own half, putting winger Jack Bryan-Green into space on the left. He sprinted down the touchline, carrying into the Thurston half and committing the final defender before passing inside to full back Murray Tindal, who cantered in to score. Marshall slotted another conversion.

The home side kept their foot on the gas and scored their third try within the first quarter of an hour. Tindal carried down the right before a lovely back door offload found winger Tom Bane-Young, playing his third position in as many games. Not bad for an old boy. He then found the final pass back inside to outside centre Aaron Tagg, who crossed the line towards the posts to finish off the score. Marshall hit his easiest conversion so far.

Fakenham wrapped up the bonus point midway through the first half. Tagg broke into space down the left before finding Bryan-Green, who gassed in from just outside the 22 and dived into the corner. Marshall hit an impressive conversion from the left touchline.

The away side did not give up, beginning the fight back right away. A lineout in the Fakenham 22 gave Thurston the opportunity to attack and, after a number of strong forward carries, their hooker powered over, dotting the ball down well under pressure. A successful conversion followed.

Fakenham had the final say of the half though. A clearing kick from their 5m line was cleaned up by Ward, who moved the ball in field where it was worked through the hands by the backline to put Tagg into space to score in the right hand corner. Bane-Young reliably informs me he gave the final pass and claims the assist. With the final act of the half, Marshall missed his first conversion of the game, leaving the score 33 - 7 at the break.

Thurston needed to score first in the second half and started exactly as necessary. Winning a penalty after the restart, they kicked to the left hand corner and from the ensuing lineout set a drive that powered over the line. The conversion attempt from wide on the left was missed.

Ten minutes later they scored again. Another lineout, this time on the right of the Fakenham 22, led to a free kick for Thurston. They tapped and went and, after a few phases, the forwards managed to power over the line. The following successful conversion took them within two scores, at 33 - 19.

The away side kept the pressure up and ten minutes later they scored again. Thurston had a scrum on the Fakenham 5m, their number eight picked and carried in field before storming over the line. The conversion was good and the away side had dragged themselves back into the game.

However, it was Fakenham who got the next score, their first of the second half. A solid scrum just inside the Thurston half was worked to the backs and replacement Rob Owles, making his first appearance of the season, made a strong carry back against the grain, sucking in defenders. The ball was then worked wide to the left, putting Tindal in space, where he used his pace to get round the final covering defender coming across before running round towards the posts to make the conversion easier. Marshall duly added the extras.

Thurston then spent the final ten minutes on the hunt for at least one more score, however the home side's defence held firm. Thurston thought they had scored with the final play of the game, but the whistle was blown as the final pass was forward, bringing an end to the game with the score 40 - 26.

A thoroughly entertaining game for the large crowd in attendance. Thurston’s spirited fightback came up short, but they didn't leave empty handed as they took away a four try bonus point.

Fakenham played some very good rugby at times, especially in the first half, and made it two 5 point wins on the bounce to celebrate at Christmas.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to second row Matt King, who put in a typically industrious performance, tackling and carrying hard, as well as getting up well in the lineout.

Thank you to Katering 4U for the post match meal enjoyed as always by the players.

The next game is in the new year, as Fakenham host league leaders West Norfolk at the Stringer Ground on Saturday 4th.

Next week there will be a Families Day at the club, with a buffet, karaoke and collection for the East Anglia Children's Hospice. Come along from midday on Saturday 21st to celebrate the support given by families.