WOOTTON Bassett got their season off to a flying start with a win over Witney.

Due to injuries, the Bassett side was fielding four under 16 players, two (Rob Hart and Chris Roshier) making their debuts with the older group.

Against a physically much bigger team, Bassett’s game plan was for a fast, open running game which paid off as they scored a total of six tries. Under 16 youngster Greg Davies juts missed an early penalty, but their expansive approach paid off as Tucker Blinkhorn broke tackles for an unconverted try from 30 metres.

Bassett then lost Deri Thomas to injury - Dom Lattimer coming on - before Kyle Burrows burst through and scored the first of two tries, on his debut.

Davies comfortably converted, as he did when Burrows intercepted a pass and raced the length of the pitch to score.

A slick interchange of passing in the three-quarters saw full-back Lattimer break free and run in from just outside the 22m line.

Davies converted before Witney hit back with an unconverted try of their own and went over again just after half time.

Davies slotted over a touchline penalty to get Bassett rolling again but Witney hit back with a further converted try, then an unconverted one to cut the gap to 29-24.

Both sides were reduced to 14 by sin-binnings before Rob Hart replaced Blinkhorn, who suffered an ankle injury.

Lattimer added another try to stretch Bassett clear again and then repeated the trick, Davies converting, to round off the victory.

Bassett coach Ian Midson said: “I was hugely impressed with the way we approached the game against a much bigger side that had only lost one league game last season.

"Our tackling was excellent, the forwards were aggressive throughout and they set the platform for the backs to score the tries.”

Bassett U17s next fixture is at home on Sunday against Old Richians (2pm).

Bassett: Chris Roshier, Ben Pinniger, Brett King, Josh Audritt, Ryan Warren, Alex Scott, Will Earl, Sam Bardwell, Greg Davies, Deri Thomas, Connor Campbell, Gavin Ougan, Tucker Blinkhorn, Kyle Burrows, Neil Palfrey. Subs: Dom Lattimer, Rob Hart