North Walsham remain two points clear at the top of the London 2NE table after an emphatic victory in Suffolk.

They travelled down to Stowmarket on Saturday along with a large and vociferous crowd of supporters who witnessed the Vikings turn over a below par Stowmarket side in some style.

The visitors scored nine tries in the process and importantly kept their third clean sheet of the campaign to stay ahead of close challengers Ipswich.

Changes to the line-up meant starts for Garry Phelps, John Younie and Ollie Dyke, the latter making his debut. All three moved up from the Raiders and all gave a good account of themselves.

Stowmarket began the game well and threatened to cross Walsham's line in the first 10 minutes but Walsham's resolute defence held firm and the Vikings began to play to their patterns and the forwards started to gain the upper hand.

Chris Kent was his usual marauding self and was proving too much of a handful for Stowmarket and it was from several phases of good continuity that Shane van Vuuren, went over for the first of two tries continuing his excellent form this season. Walsham's pack dominated proceedings in scrummage, lineout and loose play, giving the backs plenty of opportunity to test the Stowmarket defence. Chris Godwin and Andy Tibbatts were creating solid platforms for the Vikings to attack and further tries scored by Kent and Adie Ball gave Walsham an unassailable lead at half-time.

Coach Nick Greenhall called for a more disciplined performance in the second half and the players responded by running in a further five tries from Andy Tibbatts, Garry Phelps, Danny Berghan (2) and Henry Dewing, who also kicked five conversions.

The opposition did threaten to score on occasions, their pacy full-back looking the most dangerous, but the Vikings were on top throughout in what was a convincing performance.

Stowmarket will have to travel to Scottow on Saturday to play North Walsham again in the RFU Intermediate Cup.