ON recent form a Norfolk Junior Rugby Cup semi-final against any league-playing first XV should have filled the assembled Red and Black Army with dread but at Dereham Road the sun was shining and they were up for the challenge.

ON recent form a Norfolk Junior Rugby Cup semi-final against any league-playing first XV should have filled the assembled Red and Black Army with dread but at Dereham Road the sun was shining and they were up for the challenge.

In the end Fakenham proved too much for them, losing 28-5.

On a soft pitch it was hard to pick the two teams apart from the first 20 minutes. In fact it was the plucky Watton side that had the lion's share or territory and possession but could unfortunately not turn it in to points.

The Fakenham side then got their act together as expected scoring two tries in the first half.

Their kicker Youngs who was such a factor in lasts year's junior cup final when the two sides met had a terrible day with the boot only managing a penalty in the second half missing all five other attempts at extra points.

Dogged defence from the red and blacks kept Fakenham from increasing their lead just before half-time. Turnovers from Omer and Everitt helping Watton clear their lines.

The second half remained close but the higher level side broke Watton down, and scored three tries. Watton's sole effort was possibly the score of the game, good work from the forwards notably Bayley with a great offload whilst being dumped to the ground set Turnball off on a mazy run, chipping the ball to the corner over the advancing defence for Daffydd Smudge to collect and touch down.

The game should have on paper been more one-sided as Fakenham play a higher level of rugby week in and week out but the cup competition does wonderful things to the Red and Black Army who never fail to raise their game to compete and sometimes triumph over whoever they are faced with, from whatever league.