Fakenham II 7, Watton 0WATTON arrived a typically strong team who had enjoyed another good season. Before Christmas they had pushed the Fakenham first XV hard in a Junior Cup semi-final, and it was clear that this was going to be a very tough test for the second string.

Fakenham II 7, Watton 0

WATTON arrived a typically strong team who had enjoyed another good season. Before Christmas they had pushed the Fakenham first XV hard in a Junior Cup semi-final, and it was clear that this was going to be a very tough test for the second string.

Justin Green's team was boosted by the addition of Sol Viking, Mike Curry and Richie Warren to the pack. This provided the solid foundation needed by the young Fakenham back line.

The game was very competitive from the first whistle. Scrums, line-outs and loose play were all evenly fought with no side able to dominate. With few scoring opportunities the teams turned round after a scoreless first half with the result in the balance.

The game was settled by a tremendous 60-metre Fakenham try. Man of the match Steven Clay powered the ball forward in midfield before releasing his centre partner Luke Ridley on halfway. The young flyer burst through the tiring Watton defence before outpacing the fullback to score under the posts.

Fakenham left the field immensely satisfied with their efforts. After a difficult year, this result re-inforces the promise that is in the club with so many talented young players available.

Fakenham III 22, Norfolk Police 26

The Police arrived with a much-changed team from the one comprehensively beaten by the same opponents earlier in the season.

They fielded a far more experienced outfit which boasted a number of players from some of the county's most successful teams. Fakenham's team was a typically mixed bag of very experienced old hands and a number of young players completely new to senior rugby.

The early phases were dominated by the Police. Fakenham seemed a little intimidated by their opponents and were second best in most contact phases. As a result they struggled to get any control of the ball and were forced to defend for long periods.

Inevitably a few mistakes were made at the Fakenham scrum and line-out. Needing little further encouragement the Force were soon into a three-try lead and looked like scoring a few more before the interval.

Fakenham rediscovered some of their inner steel and began to impose themselves in the ruck, maul and the tackle. They were rewarded with a timely push-over try by Sperring shortly before half-time which allowed the team to turn around with a renewed sense of optimism.

The second period was dominated by Fakenham, especially at the scrummage. The tiring Police pack were unable to stop the forward momentum and the home team crossed the line three more times to open up a three-point lead with only minutes remaining. However, this tremendous game had one final twist.

Some loose play by Fakenham spilled the ball over to their opponents on halfway. The ball was passed smoothly across the Police backline for the first time all half. A couple of missed tackles opened up a gap for the Police full back to dash trough and complete the exciting winning score under the posts.

Next, the first XV have their toughest game of the season when they visit unbeaten league leaders Wymondham. The second XV are also on the road with a visit to Thetford.