TADLEY Tigers got the new season off to a winning start, beating hosts Alchester 26-20 in their opening Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier outing.

The visitors made a strong start and got their reward as prop Duncan Ewart dotted down to open the scoring.

Craig Raymond kicked two penalties to extend the advantage to 11 points, but Alchester scored a converted try to make it 11-7 at half-time.

The hosts added a penalty early in the second half, reducing the deficit to a single point, but Luke Titley’s try, a Raymond drop-goal and a solo effort from scrum-half Jake Cottrell made it 26-10 with time running out.

A penalty-try and a late penalty earned Alchester a bonus point, while Tadley were unable to score a fourth try.

They sit sixth in the table heading into a home game against Chesham, who beat Slough 31-14 in their opening fixture.

Aldermaston were beaten 28-0 by visiting Harwell in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship. Their next game is a trip to Oxford, who lost 70-7 on the opening day.

The action gets under way in Hampshire One and Two on Saturday.

Newly-promoted Chineham Lions host Bognor in Hampshire One, while Overton travel to Alton and Kingsclere face a trip to Nomads in Hampshire Two.