Vikings need a win

NORTH Walsham Vikings make what could be their final away trip in the National Leagues on Saturday when they travel to play fourth-placed Ealing.

But if the team play with the same spirit that they showed against promotion favourites Mounts Bay two weeks ago, and take their chances, then they will have a very good chance of surviving.

Certainly the mood at Scottow is as positive as it is possible to be and every player in the squad will, as they did against the Cornishmen, give it 100 per cent for the full 80 minutes.

Coach Dave Smith should have a full squad to select from, the only possible doubt being No 8 Jason Applin, who picked up an arm injury in the last fixture.

Young scrum-half Gideon Strydom missed the Mounts Bay game with a hamstring injury but the three weeks rest should mean that he is fit to return with the choice of half-back partner being between Iain Young and Jamie Burroughs.

Centre Will Farrer, who missed the last couple of games with a shoulder injury, is another who will be in contention but may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

For a welcome change Smith should have choices to make in the forwards.

If Nathan McGrath, who can play hooker or prop, has recovered from a neck injury his name will be in the mix.

But Stuart Loose, Gideon Rossouw and Shaun Woodhouse were so fired up in the last game that he will almost certainly be a candidate for the bench.

Opponents Ealing, returnees to the National League this season after a long absence, were stunned by a rampant Walsham side when they visited Scottow in December.

They have enjoyed a good campaign and they are the only side to lower the leaders' colours down in Cornwall last month, and will be desperate to avenge the December defeat and end their season on a high.

With Ealing being a relatively short journey the side will be hoping for some vocal support on the sidelines.

The Raiders, who have had their last couple of games called off by scheduled opposition, are still seeking a game.