Didcot made a great start to life in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division with a resounding 39-22 victory away to Phoenix.

Promoted last season, when they lost three times to Phoenix, Didcot erased those memories in style.

The visitors, coached by Martin Moran, led only 20-15 at half-time with tries from Kieran Dorian, Chris Freeman and Ben Cox, plus a penalty by Josh Witts.

Didcot took advantage against their tiring opponents to score two tries early in the second half, Grant Adams barrelling over and Sam Lacy touching down after a strong run. Watts converted one for 32-15.

Poor defence gifted Phoenix a try on the hour, but a score under the posts by Cox in the last minute, converted by Witts, confirmed Didcot’s superiority.

The presence of former Scotland international prop Dave Hilton could not prevent Oxford losing 16-0 at home to Chipping Norton in the BB&O Championship.

The 46-year-old ex-Bath player added much-needed experience and power to the scrummage, which Oxford dominated.

This gave them a platform to launch solid attacks as centres Dan Jamieson and Phil Gleeson made inroads, without nailing the final pass.

However it was Chippy, relegated from the league above last season, who turned possession into points for a comfortable victory.

Oxford were not disheartened by the final score, which might have reached 70 points against similar opposition with last season’s side.

Harwell got off to a flying start with 35-5 victory at home to Farnham Royal.

Lewis Giddings scored two tries for Harwell, with their others coming from James Hoskyns Jones, Andy Lee and Dan Corne.

Lee added a penalty and three conversions.