Fakenham stay fifth after away defeat

Thurston 39, Fakenham 26

Counties 2 Eastern Counties

Fakenham’s eighth league fixture saw them travel to Thurston, a team they have enjoyed a number of good games with in recent years.

The visitors started the game in lightning-fast fashion, scoring twice within the first five minutes. First, winger Kyle Roberts crossed the whitewash, before full-back Murray Tindal followed suit, with co-captain and fly-half Lloyd Marshall slotting one of the conversions for a 12-0 lead.

However, the home side fought straight back and scored two converted tries within the next 10 minutes to take a two-point lead.

The rapid scoring that started the game came to a halt until just before half time, when there was a try scored apiece. First flanker Patrick Lound went over for Fakenham, with Marshall adding the extras. Thurston struck back immediately with another converted try to regain their two-point advantage and head into the break 21-19 up.

The home side restarted where they’d left off, scoring a try at the start of the second half, but this time unable to convert.

Fakenham scored next, with Lound getting his second of the game and Marshall nailing the conversion to draw the away side level at 26-26 mid-way through the second half.

Thurston followed up with another try of their own and a conversion to regain their seven-point lead.

Two penalties in the last 10 minutes finally took the game away from Fakenham as Thurston ended the game 39-26 winners.

The result sees Fakenham stay in fifth, with their opponents moving to within six points of them in the table.

The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to flanker Joe Airey.

There is no game next week, with Fakenham’s next fixture at home to Shelford 3rd on Saturday, December 2.