Fakenham's penultimate league fixture saw them host Mersea Island at the Stringer Ground. Fakenham edged a close contest at Mersea Island at the start of December in very windy and cold conditions.

Thankfully, the weather this time was better for the spectators, mild and mostly dry, with a little drizzle in the second half. After the tight first encounter, another exciting match was predicted.

The game started evenly, with the sides testing each other out. The home side then took the lead in the thirteenth minute. Mersea Island had a scrum just inside their own half and flung it out to the backs. However, a dropped ball fell at the feet of flanker Joe Airey, who picked it up with a clear run to the line. He initially looked very confused about what to do without someone to run into, but after encouragement from his teammates, put his head down and made it to the line to dive over underneath the posts. Fly half and Captain Lloyd Marshall made no mistake with the simple conversion.

Just a few minutes later, Fakenham found themselves on the edge of the away side's 22 again. A penalty gave Marshall the chance to point to the posts and he duly extended the lead.

Mersea Island fought back almost immediately, taking territory to move into the Fakenham 22. A short range penalty allowed them to tap and go and their tight head prop did well to stand up to the initial collision, then drive again to power over the line. The conversion was unsuccessful but the lead was halved, 10 - 5.

Fakenham then retaliated in quick fashion themselves. A lineout on the Mersea 5m let Fakenham set up a maul, which was headed inexorably towards the line. The referee then awarded a penalty try as the maul was illegally brought down. Martin Tagg was present.

Ten minutes later Mersea Island chipped away at the lead with a successful penalty kick. There were no more scores before half time, leaving it 17 - 8 at the break.

The away side started the second half strongly, registering a converted try within five minutes of the restart to bring them within two points of Fakenham.

Fakenham went on the attack in response, breaking down the blind side from a scrum in the opponents’ territory. However, the ball bobbled loose out of the ruck and the Mersea Island winger picked up and set off from his own 22. The away team flooded down the pitch in support and after impressive interplay amongst their players, scored underneath the posts. The simple conversion followed and Mersea led for the first time in the game.

Shortly afterwards, Fakenham levelled things up through second row Jonny Wheeler. He powered over in the right hand corner from close range, showing great strength to force the ball down on the line. Marshall was unsuccessful with the conversion, leaving the scores level at 22 - 22.

Fakenham then retook the lead ten minutes later. After a few phases on the edge of the Mersea Island 22, outside centre Aaron Tagg saw space on the right, and after receiving the ball he handed off one player before powering to the line. Marshall couldn't add the extras from wide on the right.

As the game came towards the end, Mersea Island regained the lead themselves. After good initial defence from Fakenham, the away side cut through with a good line to crash over from five metres out. The successful conversion gave Mersea a two point lead with five minutes to go.

Fakenham immediately looked to go back on the attack. They got a penalty just inside the Mersea half and Marshall pointed to the sticks. His penalty attempt was just wide, but Fakenham got the ball back from the following drop out and continued to attack. Another penalty, this time just outside the 22 but on the left, gave Marshall another chance. He made no mistake second time round as he slotted the kick to give Fakenham the smallest of leads with just 40 seconds to play.

Number eight Rob Ward collected the restart cleanly, giving Fakenham the chance to run the clock down with a few forward carries. They then won a penalty as the clock went red, allowing Marshall to tap and kick the ball out to bring an end to a very exciting, closely contested game. Fakenham 30 - 29 Mersea Island.

An exciting game for the spectators, which could have gone either way at the end. Thanks to Mersea Island for making the journey, all of our games with them have been closely contested for the past couple of seasons and we look forward to competing again next season.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to flanker Joe Airey, who scored a rare try to go along with his usual strength in the tackle and success at the lineout. An honourable mention to physio Andy Siddal, for strapping twelve of the lads up before the game.

Thanks once again to Katering 4U for the match teas enjoyed so much by both sides.

Thank you to James Peeling for the quality match photos.

Fakenham's final league game of the season is on Friday the 4th of April at Wymondham II. Come and support the boys as they look to secure fifth spot in the league with a win under the Friday night lights.