With the weather showing slow signs of improvement after two barren weekends, players and supporters will have everything crossed that the temperatures will rise sufficiently for the frost to come out of the Scottow pitches and normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

Normal that is, in that at three o'clock the game will start, but everyone connected with Walsham will be hoping that the corner can be turned and a much-needed win recorded. Having played Bishop's Stortford on the second weekend of the season the Vikings were given a real drubbing by the Hertfordshire side who appeared to be promotion contenders.

However, things have not gone to plan and while they are in fifth place in the table they are 20 points adrift of leaders Barnes and although they have been prolific scorers, they have conceded more points than they have scored.

With the universities winding down for the Christmas and New Year break, Nick Greenhall will be hopeful of more players to call upon but is unlikely to be tempted to tinker too much with the sides selected for the two postponed games.

With Shaun Woodhouse unavailable, John Pymm will be at the top of the pecking order to step in. Alex Harrod could well figure in the starting line-up at open side, with fellow Aussie Mike Henry dropping to the bench. Tom Coller, back from injury, will be in contention for the blindside slot but Gerard Hegarty has impressed with the opportunities he has had so Coller might find himself on the bench with Henry. The backs are unlikely to change but one of the returning students could be on the bench.

The Raiders who were getting into their stride when the break came and were greatly disappointed to miss out on two games, will be playing for pride against Stortford seconds who handed them a big defeat back in September. But skipper Ian Webster has more experienced players to call on this time and could reverse the result.

The Vikings will kick off at 3pm and the Raiders at 2.15pm.