Late comeback not enough for Fakenham

Fakenham’s ninth league game of the Counties 2 Eastern Counties season saw them suffer a 43-32 defeat at high-flying Mistley.Mistley was promoted to the league this season but has started well and sat in third in the league standings before the game.The continuing experiment of Murray Tindal at number eight paid dividends early on, with him opening the scoring just four minutes into the game.Fly-half Lloyd Marshall slotted the conversion to give Fakenham an early lead.The home side cancelled it out shortly thereafter with a converted try of their own, before taking the lead with a second converted try midway through the first half.Fakenham fought back through the boot of Marshall, as he nailed a couple of penalty kicks to bring his side back within a point.However, shortly before half-time, Mistley scored their third converted try to lead 21-13 at the break. Just a couple of minutes into the second half, the home side secured their four-try bonus point and extended their lead further, though the conversion was unsuccessful on this occasion. Fakenham captain and flanker, Adam Lingwood, then dragged his side closer with an uncovered try just a few minutes later.Mistley then dominated the middle of the second half to take the game away from Fakenham, scoring a penalty followed by two converted tries to build an unassailable lead.Nevertheless, Fakenham fought until the end and finished the game as strongly as ever. Only two minutes after the final Mistley try, outside centre Aaron Tagg kept up his fine try-scoring form to cross the whitewash, with Marshall adding the conversion.Not to be outdone, Tagg’s midfield partner Tom Bane-Young got on the score sheet himself five minutes from time to secure the four-try bonus point. Marshall again added the extras. The final whistle went before any more scores were added, leaving Mistley 43-32 winners.Fakenham did well to earn their bonus point, with director of rugby Bee Bannister praising their attitude and stating how the strong finish showed what the players are capable of. However, he also pointed out the need to eliminate the periods where Fakenham let the game get away from them.The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match went to loosehead Jack Powell-Thorne.On Saturday, Fakenham hosts Ipswich YM at the Stringer Ground.