ABINGDON RFC officially unveiled their new £20,000 floodlit training pitch on Friday night.

The new facility at Lambrick Way was opened by life member of the club and former RFU president Paul Murphy.

It marks the culmination of a five-year plan for the BB&O Premier club, which began after RFU head groundsman Keith Kent advised the club their training pitch was unfit for purpose.

A number of club members have been involved with the project, while it has been funded through local authority grants, private donations and a bequest from club stalwart George Dimond, who passed away a couple of years ago.

Abingdon chairman Pat Sweeney said: “I was convinced from the start that we needed to do a proper job with the training pitch.

“A lot of club members have carried out the work and used contacts to source materials, and it is this collective effort that has helped us deliver a new floodlit training facility for the whole club’s benefit.

“In addition, the maintenance programme should ensure better training and playing surfaces are available for a greater part of the year.”

l WALLINGFORD earned a four-try bonus point in beating Buckingham 24-18 at home in Southern Counties North.

Dan Sadler crossed twice for the South Oxfordshire club, with James Wiltshire and Finn Sayce also going over.

Phil Dawes kicked two conversions.

Harwell returned to winning ways in the BB&O Championship, with a 33-12 victory at Faringdon.

Lewis Giddings (2), Richard Gregory (2) and Dave Paton crossed for the visitors, with Andy Lee kicking four conversions.

In the Premier, two tries from Jamie Cummings helped Abingdon to a 34-17 win over Risborough.

Paul Watts and Lewis Stacey, who kicked 14 points, also went over.

Didcot lost 12-10 at Tadley.

In South West 1 East, Grove enjoyed a 34-7 win over Reading.