BASINGSTOKE RFC Academy side opened their season with a thumping 63-15 victory over visiting Windsor.

An early mistake from Windsor, followed up with some quick hands from the Stoke backline, resulted in Alfie Rowley going over the white line, scoring in his first game for the Academy.

Stoke began to dominate possession, with plenty of expansive rugby being played with the backline really firing passes around, a good interchange between Drew Paterson and Ben Shefras saw winger Daniel Mairs storm over for his first try of the season.

This was quickly followed up by another as home fly-half Joseph Campbell stepped an on rushing flanker and threw a 30 yard pass off his left hand straight out to Mairs who steamed in from 40 metres out.

Not long after centre Ben Shefras followed up some strong running to dive over in the corner for another score.

However, Windsor replied with their first try.

Stoke hit back almost immediately as winger Leon Williams pounced on a handling error to go over, Campbell adding the extras.

Just before half time, fly-half Campbell made a great line break and crossed the try line to make it 39-5 at the break.

After the break, Campbell again scored, quickly followed up with a debut try for Matthew Mairs and one more for Leon Williams, which Campbell converted.

Windsor picked up to tries of their own before Ed Pearson, completed the victory.

Coach Steve Parker said: “Man of the Match today was Adam Richards, he has come up from the under 16s. He barely missed a training session, has listened and learned and for a big prop has absolutely worked his socks off today, playing a full 80 minutes.”

Next up for the Academy, in the Hampshire Division One is away to Havant today.

The BRFC Academy is open to all boys aged 16 to 18 (School Years 12 and 13), training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7.30pm to 9pm and on Sundays noon to 2pm. For more information, e-mail academy@basingstokerfc.com