Counties 2 Eastern Counties
Woodbridge 43 Fakenham 32
Fakenham began their Counties 2 Eastern Counties campaign at Woodbridge, eventually going down 43–32 but taking a valuable try bonus point back to Norfolk.
Having suffered heavy defeats on previous visits, the visitors showed their intent early on.
Fly-half Lloyd Marshall opened the scoring with a penalty, before Woodbridge hit back with a converted try.
Number eight Murray Tindal restored Fakenham’s lead with a converted effort of his own, but two tries from the hosts, either side of another Marshall penalty, saw Woodbridge take a 17-13 advantage into the break.
Fakenham made the perfect start to the second half when centre Aaron Tagg crossed for their second try, Marshall again on target with the extras.
Yet from then on, Woodbridge seized control, regaining the lead with an unconverted score before stretching clear with three further converted tries in a dominant 25-minute spell.
Despite the gap on the scoreboard, Fakenham refused to lie down as they turned in a much-improved display compared to previous visits.
Their late rally brought reward as they struck twice in quick succession.
Tagg bagged his second of the afternoon to move to the top of the club’s early try-scoring chart, while Matt King, making his first season’s bow as a loosehead prop after years in the second row, powered over for his first try in six years.
Marshall converted King’s effort to close the final margin to 11 points.
Although Woodbridge were worthy winners, Fakenham could take real encouragement from both their attacking intent and their resilience, securing a bonus point on the road in the process.
The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match award went to King, whose tireless 80-minute shift in the front row was capped by his long-awaited score.
There was also recognition for debutant Sam Collins, while the post-match pint duties provided lighter moments, with Martin Tagg’s downing attempt drawing predictable criticism from his teammates.
Fakenham will now look to build on their promising display when they host Diss at the Stringer Ground next weekend.
