North Walsham had to work hard for this bonus point victory, particularly in the second half, despite scoring five tries.

The Division 2NE leaders started briskly, catching their visitors cold, with three tries in the first quarter of an hour.

Viking's No 10 Chris Borrett went in under the posts within three minutes, with a pick and drive by the forwards giving lock Chris Kent a try four minutes later. Henry Dewing converted both.

Adie Ball then delayed his pass perfectly for Shane van Vuuren to speed over out wide on the right. Dewing pulled his conversion shot slightly left of the uprights.

Woodford, captained by former Walsham player John Dwight, then came into the game, with left wing Tom James having a good run before being hustled into touch. They spent some time close to the Walsham line, but could get no further.

Just before the interval Kent was put in for his second score with a pass from van Vuuren, the conversion attempt again going just left of the posts, giving a half-time tally of 24-0.

Danny Berghan came on for the injured Tom Coller at the beginning of the second period, Stuart Loose replaced prop Keith Fowles and Kurt Benney came on in the backs in place of Dewing.

The infringement count against the Vikings began to mount as Woodford played with increasing belief, visiting centre Alex Silk slotting a penalty shortly before Ball was sin binned for not releasing. The resulting kick was also converted.Four minutes later Walsham received another yellow card after an illegal tackle by Berghan.

A pick and drive by the visiting forwards allowed No 8 Robbie Connell to have his persistence rewarded with a touchdown, but Silk was unable to convert.

Further attacks were repulsed by Walsham before their numbers were restored, and Dewing replaced Freddie Henley-Hunter in the back line. Woodford kept up the pressure but couldn't make the final metres to the goalline.

With time running out Benney intercepted a loose ball, and with controlled grubber kicks, ran three quarters the length of the field, for Dewing to gather for a try, converted by himself.

Walsham coach Nick Greenhall was pleased with the result, but not so happy that basic skills went missing in the second half, as the penalty count against his side climbed into double figures.