A hot Saturday afternoon saw Fakenham travel to Norwich Union for what would prove to be a very physical encounter, with the visitors eventually edging home 45-31.

Union started aggressively and their forwards battered a hole in the Fakenham defence within the first five minutes to enable Craig Dunbar to open the scoring.

This wake-up call brought Fakenham into the game and they were able to respond with some running rugby to allow Jordi Walker to even the score up.

The rest of the first half was well contested with scores being exchanged on both sides, Fakenham’s tries were scored by Rory Singleton and Walker again to bring the half-time score to 19-21.

The second half saw Fakenham on the front foot for the majority with the forwards providing a better platform and the backs running into more open spaces.

Luke Taylor was unable to cross the line but did provide some impressive offloads to allow scores from the back three of Murray Tindall, Lloyd Marshall and Brett Stolworthy and a third for Walker.

Norwich Union were not to be denied a place on the second half score sheet, with a well organised driving maul allowing them to cross the line.

The final score was 45-31, giving Fakenham their third bonus point win of the season and keeping them at the top of the Eastern Counties One North League, five points ahead of their closest rivals Diss Saracens.

Fakenham seconds hosted Wymondham thirds and lost 36-22 in their Eastern Counties Three League match-up.

Fakenham performed well and will take a lot of positives from the encounter while they will know there are some areas to work on in training.

Scores for Fakenham came through Mark Allen, Brandon Fairbrother, Matt Hardman and Ian Williamson.

On Saturday both teams are playing home fixtures. The first XV host North Walsham seconds in a mouth-watering fixture, with the visitors having won both their games so far while scoring 94 points,

Meanwhile the second XV host their Swaffham counterparts. Kick-off for both games is at 3pm.

Dereham were without a game at the weekend because scheduled Eastern Counties Three North opponents North Walsham Warriors were unable to raise a side.