RUGBY: North Walsham visit league toppers Hertford who have got off to probably their best-ever start with maximum points from their four games a record they share with Dorking and Barnes.

The Raiders, who had last week off, are scheduled to travel with the Vikings to play Hertford Extra Firsts while the Warriors who beat Wymondham II last week 32-5 are at home against Medics.

North Walsham 23, Havant 33

Walsham left the field with both team and supporters wondering why they had just one point to show for their considerable efforts, when five were there for the taking.

They had made a flying start but with nothing to show for it and, against the run of play, Havant scored, converted.

Havant came offside at a line-out and Abrahams put the first points on the board but sadly this was his only success from five attempts as he twice hit the posts and the other two efforts missed by inches.

A rare incursion into the Walsham half by Havant was rewarded with a penalty which was knocked over. Walsham were awarded a penalty. Taking the scrum option the pack, well marshalled by Grant Furlong, split the opposition and Chris Kent touched down.

Havant made it a seven-point lead at the interval. Burroughs made a defence splitting run but failed to spot his support, Abrahams and Frost came close but when again a spilled pass ended the attack, the ball was lashed downwind and only great cover running by Tom Williams prevented a score.

Big pressure in the Havant 22 brought several chances but the visitors' defence stayed strong. They conceded a string of penalties close to the line which could have brought a penalty try but the referee decided a yellow for No 8 Graeme Frith was sufficient.

As in the first half Walsham opted for the scrum, eight on seven was no contest, and Kent capped a solid display with his second try.

Walsham came offside and McSeveny again stretched the lead to five points and it soon became 12. The final 10 minutes provided a flurry of scoring as Walsham's discipline faltered.

Sandberg went close before young Williams, playing only his third senior game, had the confidence to tap and go for his first try.

Another poor clearance by Walsham again resulted in a Havant score, with flanker Alex Howard making the touchdown. Replacement James Elliott capped his debut with Walsham's fourth try, thus gaining them a deserved bonus point.

Meanwhile, North Walsham U17 were simply too strong for a gutsy Lowestoft and Yarmouth as they started their defence of the Eastern Counties Cup on Sunday, winning 54-0. Scorers: Nick Moore, Ben Place, Toby Fletcher and Max Moore scored twice with Michael Haverty and Laurence Austin scoring one and Fletcher adding two conversions.