Discipline vital for Vikings

DESPITE suffering defeat against Civil Service last week North Walsham can look to a vast improvement in their performance since the early-season meeting.

Then there was a 39-point deficit in a one-sided game. This time 11 points was the margin, and for at least the first half the Vikings matched their opponents.

So they will go into their postponed local derby against Diss in good heart.

If there was a lesson to be learned last week it was to keep on the right side of the referee.

There were many on the touchline who were critical of the way the game was refereed.

But with the Vikings having conceded four penalties in the first five or six minutes it was inevitable that the official would be focusing on the home side – and the 15 to four penalty count probably reflected the situation perfectly.

It must be drilled into the players that discipline is paramount as playing for 30 minutes with only 14 men not only disrupts patterns but also puts additional strain on those who stay on the pitch for the full 80.

Chris Greenhall will probably try to keep changes to a minimum again.

Depending on availability he will almost certainly stick with the front five that started last week, but Chris Godwin limped off and will probably make the starting line-up again.

Despite his long lay-off he showed much of his old dash and competitiveness and his solo try was a blast from the past.

The coach rotated the No 8 shirt last week but might pick the lighter but more experienced Alex Harrod to start this time around, with Will Crossley dropping to the bench.

The backs almost pick themselves but again Greenhall could switch Jack Hoyles and Jake Harris around with Hoyles going to partner Lee Sandberg.

With almost weekly changes of centre partner Jamie Burroughs continues to take the brunt of the pressure in the heart of the defence and the big hits that go with it.

A supporters' coach leavies Scottow at approximately 12.15pm.

n Anyone interested should contact vicky.burroughs@yahoo.co.uk