READING Abbey begin their Southern Counties North campaign at home to long-standing Berkshire rivals Windsor on Saturday (3pm), both teams having been relegated from South West One East.

Windsor beat Abbey 21-11 at Rosehill last season, but the Reading side took the honours 25-22 at Home Park despite almost throwing away a strong leading position.

This year Abbey are captained by scrum half Will Bevan with Will Woodward pack leader.

Of several new faces Anthony Deacon in the second row and Remi Norville, who has come through the youth ranks at Rosehill, are notable debutants while a refreshed and eager Mike Beckley returns to the squad having had a year out of the game Head coach Fungai Mutepfa said: “I’ve drawn a line in the sand about last year, this year will be different. Some of our team will never have played Windsor and they bring real energy into the club.”

  • READING RFC – who were also relegated to the same division following a disastrous campaign in which they won only three of 26 games – begin their bid to return to South West One East when they travel to High Wycombe.