Basildon started their season in style with an impressive 61-16 win over South Woodham Ferrers.

Basildon took the lead in just the fourth minute when skipper Lee Randal took a quick tap penalty and put hooker Charlie Baker in under the posts.

Thereafter it was all Basildon pressure despite playing into a stiff wind.

The home side’s pack were in complete control at the tight and the visitors had very little good ball.

Number eight Mathew Bryan forced his way over for Basildon’s second try, and two penalties and two conversions from number 10 Ellis Goldsmith meant they had a comfortable 20-9 lead at half time.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Basildon were straight onto the offensive and prop Steve Burnett showed great presence of mind to seize on a loose ball 10 metres out and crash over.

Shortly after, flying winger Danny Rowley, who was playing with a broken toe, outpaced the Woodham defence with a 45-metre run to score under the posts.

The visitors never gave up and to their credit scored a try out wide which was magnificently converted into a swirling wind.

This provoked Basildon and tries were scored by sub Jim Harman following a superb offload from Joe Green.

Bryan got his second, centre Graham Richmond crashed over and there were two for man of the match debutant Reece Cunningham in the second row.

The other debutant, Goldsmith, off loaded and kicked well all match and scored three conversions in the second half to bring his tally to 16 points.

But, despite the emphatic nature of the win, coach Gary Smith was not pleased with the overall performance and indicated there will be some hard sessions to come in this week’s training for his team.