Merton returned to action in Surrey Division Four with an emphatic 43-7 victory over Egham Hollowegians.

It would be true to say that the Morden Rec outfit were under the cosh in the opening 20 minutes, on a very heavy pitch that looked like try scoring chances would be minimal. 

However, once they had shown great defence to keep out the hosts, they broke out following a superb tackle from Neil Quinn, the ball being shifted quickly to centre Will Rist, who jinked his way through a bewildered Egham defence for a great individual effort. 

This proved to be the catalyst, as soon after a charging run from debutant Chris Davis ended with the ball being popped up to Glenn Williamson, who sped off into the distance to increase the lead. 

Merton kept up their domination, and added a third when a charging run from prop Laurence Griffiths saw him stopped inches from the line, but he had the foresight to pop the ball to Nick Bentley, who dotted down.

Egham tried to respond at the start of the second-half, but had no answers to the Merton juggernaut, Rist adding his second before limping off with injury, then further tries coming from Rob Bell, Shaun Angell with his first for the club.

Then, with the last move of the match, Lithuanian international, Vilius Jakubauskas, sprinted down the left wing to complete the rout with a try next to the posts, allowing Bentley to kick his fourth conversion of the afternoon. 

The hosts’ only reply was a converted try midway through the half.

This Saturday, Merton entertain local rivals, Raynes Park, in a re-arranged Surrey Bowl tie.