Woodbridge 13, Fakenham 3FAKENHAM produced a much improved performance than the previous week and pressed the game from the early stages, keeping Woodbridge contained for most of the first half in their own territory.

Woodbridge 13, Fakenham 3

FAKENHAM produced a much improved performance than the previous week and pressed the game from the early stages, keeping Woodbridge contained for most of the first half in their own territory.

Fakenham went close to opening the scoring on four separate occasions, with near misses from Williamson, Day, Lockston and Sperring.

Woodbridge opened the scoring in a rare attack into Fakenham's half with a drop goal. They increased their lead with an unconverted try after three or four missed tackles.

Fakenham rallied, and again applied the pressure, which resulted in a penalty, slotted over by S Baldock. The game opened up with both teams attacking, but with no further scores.

In the second half, Fakenham applied pressure, but further opportunities were missed due to an errant pass, or knock-on, or failure to clear a ruck quickly enough.

Warren, O'Dell, Richardson and Starman tried to force their way over the line without any reward. Woodbridge looked dangerous on the counter-attack down the right wing, with some great inter-passing, but Fakenham's defence protected the line.

Eventually Woodbridge found an extra support player and the last-ditch attempted tackle was not enough to stop the full-back breaching Fakenham's try line.

The last five minutes found Fakenham camped in Woodbridge's 22 metre area. Fakenham players, frustrated by an opposition player killing or delaying the release from a ruck, took the law into their own hands, which resulted in a yellow card for the Fakenham hooker.

Fakenham had a chance for another penalty, but it slid agonisingly to the left of the posts.

Fakenham host Maldon next in the EDF Junior Vase, with a 3pm kick-off.

Fakenham II 26, Dereham II 7

ON a day more like high summer than autumn a mixed Fakenham II XV took to the field against a strong Dereham XV. With a 55-year old at prop and two inexperienced centres Fakenham expected, and got, a hard game.

Dereham dominated the early exchanges. Fakenham kept trying and when Dereham lost the ball in midfield Fakenham scorched away to score. Fakenham then had the best of the game but Dereham came back with a try following Fakenham's lack of tackling (converted).

Fakenham stormed back and after some good approach work Stephen Clay was driven over by veteran Tim Curtis. Joe Baines Young converted.

The second half saw Fakenham getting the better of the early exchanges. Dereham came back after Curtis was forced to retire, and battered the Fakenham line. However, a great breakaway try from Jonathon Kettel was scored under the posts. Clay failed with the conversion.

The best try was saved until last when there was a great break by Mark Hill who swerved between two defenders and left the full back for dead to score.