Union open their account in London 3 EC

Following a disappointing result last week away at Ely, Union were keen to put in a good performance and put their mark on London 3 EC and that they did, with a comprehensive victory against visitors Fakenham who they had lost to in the last four meetings in EC 1 back in 2016 and 2017.

Union were on the scoresheet within the first 5 minutes, with powerhouse Craig Dunbar powering his way to the line following some quick ball generated by the Union pack. Matt O’Brien who had a flawless day from the tee slotted his first of seven conversions.
The next try was straight out of the Union playbook with a dominant maul splintering the Fakenham defence allowing Ben Bond-Webster to score his first of four tries, O’Brien adding the extras on the 30min mark.

Next up was man of the match Ryan Day, who cut back against the grain before sprinting to the line to score, O’Brien adding the conversion.
Day changed roles from scorer to provider for the next try, making a break from the kick-off and putting wing Callum Slaughter into space, who pinned back his ears and raced down the right wing to score Unions bonus point try wide out giving O’Brien his toughest test to date, which he passed with ease slotting his fourth conversion.

Fakenham rallied as the half time approached and after generating quick ball from a series of rucks scored their opening try which was converted to take the score to 28-7 which remained until half time.

It wasn’t long into the second half before Union were again on the score board, with Day again being instrumental in the move racing up field before offloading to scrum half Graham Hunt who after skipping past a couple of defenders popped the ball to Bond-Webster who scored a rare open-field try, which was inevitable converted by O’Brien.

Fakenham replied with their 9 catching Union napping, making a break before the ball was shipped to the Fakenham number 4 who flopped over the line, the conversion was successful making the score 35-14 as the 60min mark approached.

Union cancelled this score out within a few minutes, with hooker Ben Bond-Webster bagging his hat-trick, O’Brien adding the extra two with his sixth successful conversion of the day. Bon-Webster grabbed his fourth try at the death of the game, this time returning to type steering a powerful maul over the line before planting the ball. O’Brien stepped up for the seventh and final time to score the conversion.

Union travel to Thetford next week in London 3 EC, kick off 3pm. The Firebirds are at home to Dereham, which is also a 3pm kick off.

Team: Chris Spenceley, Ben Bond-Webster, Lewis Smith, Rob Dye, Lewi White, Jake Rodwell, Jordan (c) Read, Craig Dunbar, Graham Hunt, David Sheldon-Smillie, Nick Trataris, Ryan Day, Callum Slaughter, Matt O’Brien Replacements: Simon Pitcher, Joe Morell, Charlie Hill

Scorers: Craig Dunbar 1T, Ben Bond-Webster 4T, Ryan Day 1T, Callum Slaughter 1T, Matt O’Brien 7C from 7 attempts.

Man of the Match: Ryan Day