MALDON Rugby Club's first team were without a fixture at the weekend but both their second and third teams kicked off their campaigns with league fixtures at home.

The second team, the Maldon Vikings, playing in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table division three, faced Ilford seconds.

Many of the team were playing in their first senior rugby fixture, with the majority of the team made up of last year's under-17s squad.

The star of the show after his own debut as a substitute in last weekend’s first-team game was undoubtedly 17-year-old winger Sam Langston, who scored six tries as the Vikings ran out convincing 75-5 winners.

Maldon’s third XV, the Maldon Abbotts, made their debut in a new league on Saturday.

They will be playing in the Eastern Counties Greene King League division four south and started with a match against Ipswich's third XV.

The Abbotts fielded many of their seasoned regulars, but alongside the old guard they also gave debuts to some of the club's emerging youth.

Eighteen-year-old Bradley White led the back-line at 10 and injected pace not often found within the third team competitions.

The Abbotts also won convincingly, 52-17.

Next week there is a possible selection headache for the coach, with plenty of youth now pushing for a starting place in the Maldon teams.

Maldon’s first XV welcome Stanford-le-Hope to Drapers Farm in the Essex Cup on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.