In a classic game of two halves where Union dominated the first and Thetford the second, the teams shared the spoils in what proved to be Union’s second home draw of the season.

Union dominated at the set piece their scrum and lineout working well, denying their opponents the ball for long periods in the first half which ended with Union in a strong 14-0 position.

After a tight first quarter where neither side could get close to the try-line, Union were able to eventually break the deadlock, the first try coming from loose-head prop Chris Spenceley as a series of rucks on the Thetford line stretched their defence to breaking point, Spenceley running through a massive gap and proving props can fly with a magnificent dive to score. The try was duly converted by Matt O’Brien to give Union a 7 to nil lead on the 18min mark.

Union’s second try came from Ryan Day, as Union initially went for a catch and drive from close range, Thetford’s defence was equal to the challenge, so instead Union shipped the ball quickly through the hands with Day finding a gap outside his opposite number to score, O’Brien again added the extras to extend the lead to 14 to nil with only 2 minutes left in the half.

Shortly after the break Thetford pressed forward and were awarded a penalty on the Union 10m line, which the Thetford Nine duly converted to narrow the score to 14-3.

Union cancelled this out shortly after as Thetford slap the ball down as Union pressed, O’Brien taking the three points to restore a 14-point lead at 17-3 on the 48min mark.

There was a further 10 minutes of play in which Thetford began to steadily raise their game an put Union under pressure, firstly with a series of forward charges, then as Union transgress at the breakdown the visitors take a quick tap and ship the ball to their backs who quickly move the ball from the point of contact and get behind the Union defensive line to score their first try on the 57min mark.

Thetford mounted attack after attack battering the Union line, which held firm for much of the final quarter, however the defences were breached a second time on the 75min mark, Thetford breaking through to score under the posts, which was converted to tie the game at 17 all.

Thetford with their tails up and looking to secure the win again mounted attack after attack, but the Union line stood firm, although the home crowd had their hearts in their mouth as Thetford in the last play of the game crossed the line wide out on the left, the referee however disallowed the try as it was not clear the ball had been grounded, so the game finished in a draw.

There’s now a four week break over the festive period, the next games for both teams are on the 15th January with the 1st XV away at Newmarket and the Firebirds at home against UEA.

Team: Chris Spenceley, Ben Bond-Webster, Lewis Smith, Ben Scott, Jordan Read, Matt McLaughlin, Jake Rodwell, Jon Spicker, Ben Girling, Jay O’Brien, Graham Hunt, Luke Hill, Ryan Day, Shaun Lohan, Matt O’Brien

Replacements: Simon Pitcher, Joe Morrell, Alex Sinclair

Scorers: Chris Spenceley 1T, Ryan Day 1T, Matt O’Brien 2C, 1P

www.whalebonefreehouse.co.uk Man of the Match: Luke Hill

Norwich Union RFC

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