Barnes 36, North Walsham 25THE Vikings slipped to their biggest defeat of the season yet played some of their best rugby against what is arguably the best outfit they have faced so far.

Barnes 36, North Walsham 25

THE Vikings slipped to their biggest defeat of the season yet played some of their best rugby against what is arguably the best outfit they have faced so far.

After four games on the bench, Iain Young scored two tries while Lee Sandberg demonstrated his versatility when he moved to scrum-half late in the game, his pin-point distribution leading to the final two touchdowns.

Adrian Penzhorn touched down and Jack Burgess added the conversion for Barnes. Walsham hit back when a quickly tapped penalty inside the Barnes 22 was worked towards the line. Stuart Loose was stopped just short but Tom Browes gathered the ball and planted it one handed over the line (unconverted).

Walsham had flanker Richie Howlett sin-binned and Barnes struck twice in the next 10 minutes to stretch their lead to 14 points.

Back at full strength Walsham had one of their best periods of the game. When Leon Davies broke the defensive line the ball was shipped right to Young who scored behind the posts, giving Strydom the easiest of conversions. Deep into stoppage time Clifford converted a penalty for offside.

Walsham continued to press early second half but Barnes hit back and Brownrigg forced his way over (converted).

They continued to press and a well placed kick into the left corner was gathered by Burgess, who touched down.

Barnes had their replacement prop yellow carded, which led to 10 minutes of uncontested scrums. With the game fluctuating wildly it was Walsham who struck as Sandberg picked up at a scrum, his pass finding Young who stepped through for his second. Barnes extended their lead with an unconverted try by centre Mezger, but Walsham were still pushing forward and in stoppage time Adie Ball burst through for his first try for the club.