Weybridge Vandals fly half Dan Wellden had barely returned to training ahead of Saturday's Regional Two South Central opener, but in many ways it was as if he'd never been away.

Wellden, who suffered a significant knee injury at the end of last term, expertly marshalled the Vandals backline as the league new boys secured a 34-7 win over near neighbours Guildford on Saturday.

Having turned around at the break only 7-0 to the good thanks to an early Callum Hennessy effort, a dominant second-half showing saw the hosts score four tries - including a second for Hennessy - to ultimately break the resistance of last season's league strugglers.

Man of the match Karl Hoade in the centres and second row Adam Bullett were stand out performers, but it was lynchpin Wellden who calmly directed traffic behind the scrum as Vandals ran out comfortable winners on his 100th league appearance for the club.

"Dan's been an absolutely integral part of our team for the past two years, both in terms of the way we play and the leadership he brings to the group," said head coach George Pickersgill.

"Understandably there was a little bit of rust given he'd only returned to pre-season training a couple of weeks ago, but the thing with Dan is his rugby intelligence.

"Even when he is operating at 60-70%, he's still able to manage a game and put in a performance - that is what smart players do.

"To reach 100 league appearances is a fantastic achievement and it was great to see him mark that milestone with a win."

Nice one, son: Dan Wellden receives his 100th cap from his dad, Pete, a former Weybridge Vandals rugby chair

Hennessy opened the scoring for Vandals early in the first half, but if supporters were expecting a procession against Guildford - who named 11 debutants in their squad - they were to be disappointed as it proved to be the only score in a tight opening period.

The hooker's second - added to a Hoade penalty - put his side 17-0 to the good early in the second half before the visitors responded with an interception score of their own.

Guildford's stout resistance melted late on as Vandals made the game safe with three tries inside the final ten minutes from centre Sam Bullett, scrum half Sam Hall and full back Dan Krikorian.

"I had a few stern words for the boys at half-time because I thought we definitely left two or three tries out there in the first half," added Pickersgill.

"We also gave away some very soft penalties and were our own worst enemy at times. However, I wanted a reaction after the break and they certainly gave me that.

"We got two quick scores on the board, which put us on the front foot for the rest of the game."

He added: "Overall, it was a performance I thought was coming. There were some early season jitters, which was understandable given the disruption to pre-season.

"But to come away with a 34-7 win while knowing there is still plenty more to come, is really positive."

A trip down the A3 to Old Tiffinians - 42-12 winners at Camberley at the weekend - is up next this Saturday.

Cavalry charge: Winger Harry Read, left, and scrum half Sam Hall, put pressure on the Guildford backline