Newly-promoted Harwell opened their BB&O Premier Division campaign with a morale-boosting 29-18 win at Swindon College Old Boys.

Injuries and absence left them short of cover on the bench, but the 15 starters completed the whole 80 minutes in energy-sapping heat.

An early penalty from Dave Beaven calmed the nerves, but College hit straight back to level the score.

The teams then swapped tries, Ryan Hodnett crossing from close range for Harwell.

Harwell enjoyed their best period of the game with a try from Simon Ritson after a Ben Lacy break, and a slick move from a scrum which resulted in captain Andy Lee powering over the line.

Beaven converted both to give Harwell a 22-8 half-time lead.

The home side scored an early try in the second half, but Harwell bagged the crucial try when No 8 Mike Giddings completed a pushover effort and Beaven converted.

Swindon managed a third try, but Harwell held on.

Oxford lacked some basic skills as they lost 53-7 at home to Newbury Stags.

They were not half as bad as the score might suggest, and for several long periods the game was a real contest.

But losing control of the ball in contact cost Oxford at least two tries in turnovers, and the 'first up' tackling was poor on a hot afternoon.

Newbury, on the other hand, were efficient, defended well and took their chances with some slick finishing.

Oxford's only try scorer was Elio Recchia, who wormed his way under the posts, converted by Tom Olley, which reduced the arrears 22-7.

But Newbury continued to score at regular intervals as Oxford appeared to have lost interest suggesting, apart from those skills, more work is needed in the fitness department.

Gosford All Blacks were outgunned up front in a 27-0 home defeat to Phoenix.

They gifted Phoenix a try after two minutes when fly half Tim Ellis's clearance was charged down and inside centre John Winters scored under the posts with Nigel Coleman converting.

Ellis missed a simple penalty soon afterwards, while Robin Gill dived over for the second and third tries.

Three good darting runs by promising newcomer Elliott Newell and the determined play of wing Alex Webb were Gosford's only first-half highlights.

Coleman added a penalty and converted a try from their scrum half to make it 27-0.

Gosford's defence improved after the break, while their New Zealander hooker Dan Lucas produced some quality play.