North Walsham lost to high-flyers Eton Manor by six tries to one on a heavy pitch at Wanstead, slipping to eighth position in London One North as a result.

The Vikings showed improvement in away form by toiling for the full 80 minutes, but lost the opening lineout on their throw, and were pushed and wheeled off the ball at the first scrum, which set the pattern for the afternoon.

Walsham started slowly and did not contest for the ball at their own drop-out and failed to jump on the opposition throw-in at the lineout.

Manor were three tries up in the first quarter from forwards Kevin Reed, Ian Edwards and full-back Chris Jones. Callum McKie missed the conversions but kicked well for field position.

Walsham prop Tom Browes stopped Reed from scoring a second try under the posts with a clinical tackle and Ian Webster and Ryan Oakes were getting some ball, albeit scrappy, at the lineout, as the Vikings came into the game.

Chalk Hill Brewery man-of-the-match Wayne Williams put in two storming runs before Chris Borrett, on the other wing, crossed for a try, converted by Henry Dewing.

However, Manor struck back immediately with a try from centre Ben Lockyer, converted by McKie, followed by a penalty try when No8 Barney Newbury was prevented from touching down. McKie was successful with the kick to leave Walsham behind 29-7 at the interval.

Yan Scheijde and Lawrence Griggs came on in the pack, with Jon Younie on the wing, as Williams moved to the back row for the second half.

The Manor pack remained in control in the tight, but good shifts from Aki Downing and Tom Knight kept the home side away from the Vikings' line until the 57th minute when wing Michael Eghan scored under the posts for McKie to convert.

The last quarter became very scrappy, with no flow from either side, until the whistle left the final score at 36-7.

Nick Greenhall feels his side's poor away form – they have now gone more than a year without tasting victory away from Scottow – is to do with lapses in concentration by individuals, which then disrupts team cohesion and the coaching staff are working on ways to address this.

North Walsham Raiders' friendly with Dereham was cancelled.

n West Norfolk maintained their fine season in London 3NE with a 40-5 victory at Old Brentwoods to make it seven straight league wins.

Alex Singleton, Monty Maule and Lewys Weaver all scored two tries, with Maule adding five conversions.