ROYAL Wootton Bassett head coach Alan Low was delighted by the impact of debutant colt Joe Pettit as his side returned to winning ways against High Wycombe last weekend.

Pettit is the latest off the production line at Ballard’s Ash to have an immediate impact on debut - with Josh Lewanituva starring on his debut last season. Coming in at number eight, Pettit thrived as he was tasked with running the hosts’ lineout in their 20-15 win.

The young debutant got a taste of first XV action in pre-season but, with several absentees, Low gave his talented colt a start.

The head coach’s faith was repaid as Pettit demonstrated great maturity, even turning over the ball to set up a Bassett try.

Speaking to the Advertiser Low was full of praise for the youngster.

“I gave a debut to Joe Petitt, he had a super game at number eight,” said the Bassett coach.

“I cannot talk highly enough about how he played. He had a sniff in pre-season and on Saturday we gave him a go.

“He showed maturity beyond his years, he led our lineout after a only a week with two training sessions of practice.

“He was amazing, he stole an awful lot of their ball, including in the build-up to one of our trys.”

Bassett did not start the game on such a high note. Conceding a penalty from kick-off, the home side were five down after 60 seconds. High Wycombe punted for the corner and drove over the lineout for a try.

Low, who had to pull on a shirt again after an injury to Gary Williamson, was pleased with how his side responded. Bassett were up before the half, but for a late try, the scoreline would have looked more comfortable.

“The performance was not perfect but it was the type of game we wouldn’t have come out of with a W from last season,” Low added.

“We would have fallen at the last hurdle. We defended well, we just didn’t take an awful lot of our opportunities.

“We applied pressure in defence to get scores, which was pleasing. The boys worked ridiculously hard. In the end the pressure told.”

With wins for both Bassett’s seconds and thirds on Saturday, it was the first time in more than seven years that Bassett have enjoyed all three teams winning on the same day, something Low was delighted with “One of our main goals to get the threes out this season and to get them winning is a bonus, it shows how strong the club is,” added Low.