Walsham boost survival chances

By NICK CROWE

Westcliff…………….. 15

North Walsham…..57

North Walsham stepped up their battle to beat the drop with a convincing win over gallant hosts Westcliff at The Gables.

Shorn of many regulars, Westcliff gave youth an opportunity, but Walsham went ahead in the first minute.

Impressive winger Shaun Blyth outstripped the defence and Matt Hodgson goaled.

Westcliff hit back with a penalty from skipper Greg Bannister, who passed 100 points for the season, before Walsham's all-round superiority was marked with four further tries before the break, from Ethan Sikorski, George Loose, Blyth and Hodgson, with Hodgson adding two conversions.

Walsham picked up where they left off in the second half, with Dan Smith scoring and Hodgson converting.

Westcliff never gave up and were rewarded when veteran Jim Smith blasted over from a ruck close to the Walsham line.

Any hopes of a recovery were dispelled as Walsham added further converted tries from Blyth and Hodgson.

Westcliff enjoyed a period of good possession and an intelligent kick ahead allowed Bannister to score a fine try, which he converted, before Smith scored his third try for the visitors.