Skipper Ryan Oakes is the Vikings February Chalk Hill Brewery Player of the Month.

Since returning from injury in January, the 24-year-old has helped lead North Walsham to an excellent record of five wins from six games. Their only defeat was at runaway leaders Tring.

'Ryan is a very consistent performer who works tirelessly in attack and defence,' commented Walsham's head of rugby James Brooks.

'Still young in terms of captaincy, he is a great leader and brings out the best in the guys around him.'

Ryan, a PE teacher at Langley School, began at Scottow in the Under 13s and has played there ever since, apart from three years at university. Equally adept in the second row, at flanker or number 8, he is also a major contributor in the line-out.

'North Walsham is a brilliant club to play for,' he said. 'The players and supporters are great and the coaching simply outstanding.'