Merton ran out 78-0 winners at Warlingham in a hastily-arranged friendly that did not prove much of a test for the Morden Rec outfit, writes Jack Canniff.

With their Irish contingent electing to celebrate St Patrick's Day instead, head coach Dave Burford had to field flanker Tim Rossiter on the wing - and he scored a first-half hat-trick!

Hopefully, the scoring spree will be continued this Saturday when Merton entertain Mayfair Occasionals in the quarter-finals of the Surrey Bowl.

Merton grabbed three tries in the first 15 minutes, with prop forward Alan Power's 11th touch down of the season being followed by a brace from Rossiter.

Full-back Mike Garnett, returning after seven weeks out through injury, celebrated with an opportunist try and Rossiter completed his hat-trick soon after.

Garth Hume completed the first-half scoring, forcing his way through the home defence on two occasions.

There was no let-up from Merton after the break, although they lost Power, Kerryn James and Jimmy McLoughlin to injury. Further tries came from Craig Millan, James Ellis, skipper Charles Sanger and Garnett, who completed his own hat-trick after more superb running.

Garnett even converted his own tries in this half, but Frankie Murray converted Sanger's try superbly from the touchline to give himself a magnificent seven successful kicks.