Fakenham 56, Thetford 0

FAKENHAM won the annual Hogston/Crowley Cup against a weakened Thetford side on Saturday.

Thetford had numerous call-offs due to Easter holidays and some players resting for an important league game this weekend as they challenge for promotion from Eastern Counties Division Two.

Fakenham, who themselves are hoping to clinch promotion in their league on Saturday, were not aware of this and picked the strongest team available to try to win the cup.

The game was close and hard fought and well balanced but Fakenham managed to engineer two tries from Josh Gee and John Phoenix, one of them converted by Joe Bane-Young.

This seemed to get Fakenham firing on all cylinders and shortly afterwards Acky Downing crossed for the third try which was unconverted. After 19 minutes of the game Fakenham led 17-0. Thetford stuck to their task and pressed Fakenham only for a pass to go to ground or the receiver to knock on when in a good position.

John Phoenix scored his second of the game after a long pass which he managed to pick off his toes and showed his pace and strength to get the try. Bane-Young scored Fakenham’s fifth try and then converted it to leave the score 29-0 at half-time.

The second half had a 10-minute spell where neither side could turn any pressure into points until Mark Allen broke free to score an unconverted try. Karl Ryder scored a solo effort to make it 39-0.

Thetford suffered some injuries and had put some fresh legs on to the pitch, but Fakenham were now rampant. Further second half tries from Allen, Josh Sperring and a second from Downing with one conversion from Bane-Young took the score to 56-0.

Thetford finished the game attacking and on two occasions fashioned try scoring opportunities only for the ball to be spilt, allowing Fakenham to clear their lines. Fakenham chose two men of the match John Phoenix for his scores and hard defensive work and Downing for his all round input into the game and his two scores.

Fakenham host Thetford’s second team in their final Merit League Division Two game on Saturday, which should see them confirm their promotion. Kick off will be 3pm.

There is a pre-match luncheon in memory of the late Chris Woods a former captain and player of many years.