AMERSHAM & Chiltern began RFC life under new coach Richie Williams with a fine away win over Hertford.

They ran in five second-half tries to take maximum points on their debut in the National League 3 London & South West.

The side finished fifth in National League 3 South West last season, but it’s been a summer of change with coach Craig Burgess leaving and the team shifted into the London leagues.

However, they haven’t taken long to adjust.

Williams said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better start. We trained well during pre-season but because we moved across to the London leagues I don’t think there is much expectation of us from other teams in the league.

“That might work in our favour in the first three or four matches but then I’d expect teams to start taking note.”

Despite including 11 players in their 18-man squad who have come through the club’s youth system, only five players that started the final game of last season started at Hertford.

Six players were making their debuts and the first half was a case of familiarisation as they edged into a 9-5 interval lead thanks to three penalties from winger Joe Stevens.

The second half was a different story altogether though, as they wore down their hosts and capitalised with five tries.

Ross Bugden was the first to cross the whitewash after 50 minutes and Jack Kenyon soon added a second following a fine break from full back Chris Jack.

That moved them into a 21-8 lead, but the work wasn’t done as Josh Davies and Dave John then got in on the act to wrap up the try bonus.

Fhys Keith then went over for good measure to stretch their lead out to 40-8, and although Hertford went over twice themselves before the end it was job done for Amersham.

They go to Tring on Saturday, with another away win in their sights.

Williams said: “We’re realistic with our expectations and are aiming for the top half of the table.

“There are a lot of good teams in this league so for us it’s about matching what we did last season.

“We’d also like to pick up a few more away wins. I think we only got four or five last season so winning at Hertford was a great start for us.”