Leighton Buzzard 22/1/12

Fakenham Foxes travelled to Leighton Buzzard with 13 players, Leighton with a full squad of 18.
The Foxes kicked to start and immediately put pressure on the opposition. The game was end-to-end with both teams battling to score. The Foxes set up a couple of rucks and sucked in Leighton to ship down the backs for Alex Grant to score. Leighton attacked but the Foxes defence was solid. Philippa Mahoney playing well throughout at 12. Leighton had strong runners and their scrum and game had improved since the Foxes last played them.
Gemma Seville stepped in at second row improving in strength with each match. The Foxes attacked again and the forwards set up a ruck for the ball to be brought back down the line to release Alex Grant to score. Leighton came back again and scored just before half time. 7-14

Leighton put fresh legs on at half time but the Foxes had no choice but to carry on. The Foxes played some good rugby and should have scored again, Sian Jedrzejewski having an excellent match on her return to the Foxes. Leighton attacked relentlessly and the Foxes ran out of gas. They allowed Leighton 3 tries in 10 minutes and were gutted they couldn’t hold on any longer. The Foxes determined to fight found the strength together and pressured again. The Foxes got a penalty and the ball was taken into contact the through hands to Alex Grant to score her hat-trick.
Sarah Wheelhouse kicked well and converted all 3 of the Foxes trys.
The ref would have called the game 3 mins early as he could see the Foxes were carrying injuries. The Foxes did not to give up and with last play the allowed Leighton another. Final score 41-21
A great game but frustrating for the Foxes as numbers let them down again.
Players of the Match Sian Jedrzejewski and Philippa Mahoney

Fakenham Foxes v Wellingborough 20th November 2011
The Foxes with 5 regular players out managed to scrape a full squad of 15.
Danielle Cook bravely stepping in at hooker and Amber Waldow taking on the Captains Role. Wellingborough with a large experienced squad.
Battle commenced and Wellingborough took the Foxes by surprise with two early trys. The Foxes came back with force but they broke in the centre and scored again. Alex Grant attacking for the Foxes broke through but was denied just short.
The Foxes putting in tackle after tackle but Wellingborough so strong on attack. Alex Grant broke through again and near to the line was injured from a blow just under the eye and had to leave the park. The Foxes unsettled and Wellingborough scored again. The Foxes scrum and line out work was great but they just couldn’t break the defence. Wellingborough added another before half time. 0-33

In the second half the Foxes settled down and started to gel and played some good rugby. Wellingborough scored two more trys but the Foxes did not allow them any more. Rachel Forrest and Megan Ryder returning from injury played well throughout.
The Foxes determined to get something from this game attacked and in the last 15 minutes were camped in Wellingborough’s half. Helena Cribbins and Julie Wilkin with great mauling and forwards play. The Foxes were awarded two penalties and should have scored but a high tackle prevented them. A hard game for the Foxes but they never gave up. The Foxes look forward to the re-match. FT 0-47
Players of the match Julie Wilkin and Helena Cribbins

Fakenham Foxes 26 - Hitchin 12   13th Nov 2011
Fakenham Foxes travelled to Hitchin with only 12 players, Captain Mandy Warren in unfamiliar territory covering at 10. Hitchin with a full squad. The game commenced 12 a side and it was the Foxes who took control from a set move down the backs and back inside for Alex Grant to score. The Foxes scrum was solid and Emily Park at Hooker stealing vital ball and playing well both in and out of the Scrum. Hitchin played a hard game and the Foxes took a few knocks and strong back Kym Kendle had to leave the field but soon returned as the Foxes were a player down. Hitchin put in good tackles and counter rucked the ball to ship to the wing and score. Great lineout work from Gemma Seville set the Foxes on the attack and Danielle Cook playing Second row on her debut picked up the ball at the back of a ruck and crashed her way through players to score.   HT 12-5

In the Second half Hitchin asked to have uncontested scrums the Foxes protested as thought it tactical, but due to safety reluctantly agreed. The Foxes even more determined to win the game. The Foxes shipped the ball out to Alex Grant to break and score. Tiring a little the Foxes allowed Hitchin’s winger to score again. The game had become scrappy and the Foxes all over the park out of position. The Foxes decided to slow down and play their game, they were exhausted but their heart and determination kept them going. Alex Grant still fired up took a quick penalty and smashed her way up the pitch stepping and handing off to secure the win. Amber Wadlow having a great game and stepping in as kicker converted 3 with ease. Hitchin battled to the end but Alex Grant put in the biggest tackle of the game to deny them another score. FT 26-12
Players of the Match Danielle Cook and Emily Park
If you would like to join the Foxes squad please contact Mandy 07730877072 mandy.warren@fakenhamrugby.com

Fakenham Foxes 44 Southwold 17 - 30/10/11

The Foxes took on Southwold at home with a large crowd of spectators. Southwold with a squad of 21 and unbeaten this season. The Foxes with 14. The game commenced at 14 a side.
The Foxes pressured from kick off and were camped in Southwold’s half for the first 10 minutes. The Foxes made relentless attacks then formed a ruck just short of the line for Emily Park to pick up and crash over. Southwold did not settle and soon after Alex Grant smashed her way through the centre to score. Southwold attacked but the Foxes put in strong tackes. The Foxes were awarded a penalty and Sarah Wheelhouse kicked over with ease. Southwold came back at the Foxes and scored down the wing. The Foxes played their own game and popped out of contact and moved the ball quickly around the park. The scrum and line out working well. Southwold could not deal with the pace and pressure the Foxes put them under and they gave away another penalty for Sarah Wheelhouse to kick over just before half time. 20-5

Southwold put fresh legs on but the Foxes still had plenty of gas left in the tank as they were supporting each other throughout. Giving away a penalty cost the Foxes as Southwold took into contact and recycled the ball to their winger to score. For 10 minutes the Foxes got dragged into playing Southwold’s game and the winger scored again. The Foxes knew they had to get back to their plan and started moving the ball around the park and taking control. The ball was passed down the backs for Lyndsey O’Connell to score on her debut for the Foxes. Southwold made a number of attacks but the Foxes defence was solid. The Foxes confident and attacking in numbers passed out of contact to Philippa Mahoney to break and score. The Foxes were ferocious in their attacks and on defence. Mandy Warren stepped over the ruck to snatch loose ball made ground but was tackled so popped up to Helena Cribbins to pass to Amber Wadlow to score. The Foxes still hungry for more try’s Sarah Wheelhouse kicked over the top ran through collected and scored. A fantastic all round team performance. FT 44 - 17

Fakenham Foxes v Leighton Buzzard 41 -7

Fakenham Foxes hosted Leighton Buzzard in their first home match of the season.
The Foxes received the kick and were on immediate attack, shipping the ball quick out of contact and releasing Kym Kendle to score an early try.
Leighton came back but the defence was solid and did not allow them any room to play. The Foxes were awarded a penalty and went for posts and Sarah Wheelhouse kicked over to gain an important 3 points. On the 20 minute mark hard working forward Hazel Bridges went off and Captain Mandy Warren moved to prop. Amber Wadlow having a great game at 9 supporting the backs throughout received the ball and made a speedy run to score. The battled continued and it was end to end rugby until half time. 15-0

Leighton came back with force and pressured deep into the Foxes half.
Good work from Julie Wilkin who charged down kicks and tackled to stop Leighton gaining ground. Leighton kept up their attack and broke through but Mandy Warren got under the ball to prevent the try. Leighton then scored by shipping out to the backs from the scrum. The Foxes determined took control of the game with tactical decisions and sticking to the game plan. The Foxes shipped out to the backs from set play and Alex Grant powered her way through to score. Soon after Alex Grant timed a perfect pass for Kym Kendle in the centre to break away and score. Sarah Wheelhouse kicking with confidence all game, kicked a clever ball over the top of the opposition ran through collected and scored. Leighton never giving up and still putting in good tackles stopped Gemma Seville just short of the line. Due to injury Kym Kendle was replaced at 13 by Mandy Warren and Hazel Bridges returned to prop. The ball was passed down the line to Nina Roe who was tackled just short of the line; Mandy Warren grabbed the ball and crashed over to seal the victory. 41-7
Player of the Match – Sarah Wheelhouse
The Foxes would like to thank their Sponsor Diver Flare

Peterborough Away – 18/9/11

Fakenham Foxes travelled to Peterborough for their first game of the season.
The Foxes now in National Challenge Division Two have trained hard all summer in preparation for the new league.
Rachel Forrest took on the Captain’s role and commanded well throughout.
The Foxes all fired up and ready took control of the game from kick off, they worked together and moved the ball around the park. Peterborough didn’t settle and the Foxes took advantage of this. From a scrum the Foxes shipped out to Alex Grant who broke the line to score. Shortly after Sandie Toher caught the ball and set up a ruck, the ball was shipped down to Alex Grant who sucked in the opposition and gave a perfectly timed pass to Kym Kendle who ran down the wing to score. Sarah Wheelhouse kicking accurately converted both trys. Peterborough were awarded scrums near the try line and Sandie Toher held the ball up twice and Rachel Forrest cleared the third to deny Peterborough. On the half hour mark influential Bex Sedgwick playing 8 left the field to injury and the Foxes had to reshuffle. The Foxes kept up the pressure and should have scored again but Peterborough broke in the centre to score. The Foxes tackled well but just before half time the Peterborough full back found a gap in the centre to score.
HT 10 -14

Peterborough with a large squad of players put fresh legs on at half time. The Foxes with no replacements had to return to the field with a few payers carrying knocks. Peterborough started to pressure and scored. The Foxes pressured for 10 minutes and should have scored but Peterborough broke to score and then again shortly after.
The Foxes came back with good scrum work and solid tackling from Helena Cribbins.
Alex Grant having a great debut for the Foxes. The Foxes determination and team spirit keeping them going but tiring and carrying injuries the Foxes allowed Peterborough 2 more in the final 10 minutes. A good but frustrating first game for the Foxes. FT 39-14
Players of the match: Sandie Toher, Helena Cribbins and Alex Grant