HOOKER Max Hayman will skipper a Berkshire squad including nine other Rams as they begin their Bill Beaumont County Championship Division Three campaign against Middlesex at Old Bath Road tomorrow (2pm).

Max – who enjoyed a breakthrough National One campaign – is joined in the pack by clubmates Colin Thomson, who lines up in the engine room, and a Rams’ back row of Omar Ellaboudy and Liam Goodison on the flanks and Ross Crame at No. 8.

Another Old Bath Road man, Steffan James, is at fly-half following his outstanding performance in last Saturday’s 45-7 victory against Cambridge, while Alex Manhardt, who was in fine try-scoring form for the Titans in the latter stages of the season, starts on the right wing.

Fit-again Will Janes is at full-back, while Berkshire Under 20s skipper Spencer Hayhow is joined by Harry Etwell as front-row replacements from Rams, the duo having both impressed during their age group’s runners-up campaign.

Making up the rest of the starting front row are Ryan Lomas – the University of Reading tight-head who made a couple of first-team appearances for Rams at the back end of the season – and Newbury’s Ben Hicks, while Maidenhead’s Phil Wells partners Colin behind them.

Newbury scrum-half Toby Thorne is joined in the three-quarters by clubmates Toby Thorne – named as vice-captain – and Tom Cole, the duo starting in midfield.

Lastly, the side is completed by Bracknell left wing Ben Yates.

On the bench, Maidenhead’s Elio Mandozzi provides front row cover, while Bracknell’s Tom Scott covers further back in the scrum.

His clubmate, Chris Laidler, is joined by ex-Ram Jordan Souter – now with Barnes in National Two South – and Reading University’s Tom Williams in providing options among the backs.

Rams duo Owen Root and Danny Batty are joined in the coaching team by Will Runciman.

Berkshire Team v Middlesex:

(15-9; 1-8) Janes, Manhardt (both Rams), Cole, D Thorne (vc, both Newbury), Yates (Bracknell), James (Rams), T Thorne (Newbury); Hicks (Newbury), Hayman ©, Lomas (University of Reading), Wells (Maidenhead), Thomson, Ellaboudy, Goodison, Crame (all Rams).

Substitutes: Hayhow (Rams), Mandozzi (Maidenhead), Etwell (Rams), Scott, Laidler (both Bracknell), Souter (Barnes), Williams (University of Reading).

*Entry for the game is free tomorrow, with the upstairs bar open from noon. Burgers and chips will be available to buy from in the clubhouse.