DAVID Byett is delighted to be continuing a family legacy by returning to his hometown club.

The centre, who is 23, played youth rugby at Down Grange before leaving to study at Nottingham University, where he played for both the university and Nottingham RFC.

After that he moved to Richmond, making a handful of appearances in National Three South last season, but he returned to Basingstoke in the summer – a decision he is certainly not regretting.

“I am doing a masters degree in Bournemouth so I decided to come back and play for Basingstoke because I do not have too far to travel,” Byett said. “I am definitely pleased I came back because I am really enjoying it.

“The new coaching team have come in and we are doing really well. It’s also nice to be back playing with guys I grew up with.”

Byett is the third generation of his family to have played for ’Stoke, following in the stud marks of his father and maternal grandfather, who were both club captains.

For some players, this sort of history could hang around the neck like a millstone but Byett is proud to be carrying on a tradition.

“It’s good to be carrying on the family legacy and I don’t feel any pressure because of it,” he said. “There is always chat from my dad and grandad about how it was in the old days but it’s all good fun.”

Byett played his rugby a level higher last season and while he has been impressed by the standard in National Three London, he is not surprised to see Basingstoke near the top of the league.

“I am not really surprised with the position we find ourselves in because we have got the right attitude, which is the good thing,” he said. “There is a lot of talent in the squad as well, with players like Dan Rees and Rory Greenslade-Jones, who give us good options.

“The level of rugby is really strong. It is played at a different tempo to a higher level but there is a lot of passion involved, which is what you want.”

’Stoke made a solid start to the season but have struggled for form since Christmas, losing twice before recording a scrappy win over struggling Tring last time out.

Their next match is on Saturday, when North Walsham will travel to Down Grange (kick-off 3pm), and Byett is confident that they can turn things around to claim another victory.

“It has been a bit slow since Christmas but we feel we are coming back to form,” he said. “Hopefully that result against Tring will have got us going again.

“The style of play we use is very good. We control the game when we need to but play a good expansive game whenever we can and are capable of taking teams apart with that.

“If we play our own style we should be alright against North Walsham. They are strong up front, which is always challenging, but hopefully we can deal with that as we look to play ourselves back into form.”