Merton began their league campaign with a 17-7 defeat against a capable Raynes Park outfit on Saturday.

The Morden Rec outfit gave league debuts to youngster Glenn Williamson and Peter Van Rooyen in their three-quarter line, as well as welcoming back Christo Swanepoel, Bryce Lund, James Newbury and Danny Trick to the back division.

In the forwards, skipper Chuck Sanger replaced Jimmy Sowersby in the starting line up.

The visitors started well, working mainly through their forwards, but, with Lund at no.10 pulling the strings to link up the play, Merton dominated, with the scrummage getting on top and Kerryn James and Sam Borgfeldt winning the majority of the lineout ball.

However, it was in the backs that Park showed more fluidity, their three-quarter line putting together a number of well-worked moves that stretched the away side’s defence.

Mike Garnett had the first opportunity to put points on the board, but his effort just slipped past the post, so the stalemate remained. Eventually, Park carved an opening on the right and crossed the line for a try, with the conversion being missed.

Turning round trailing by five points, Merton were confident of getting back on terms. Assistant coach Gary Newark came on at prop and then saw his side suffer another injury blow when Jimmy McLoughlin was forced from the field with a dead leg.

Son James Newark took his place in the the back row.

Although the visitors made good ground through their forwards, the three-quarters were closed down quickly by the Park back line on a number of occasions.

Garnett broke Merton’s duck, intercepting on halfway and outpacing the cover defence for a try, which he converted himself. As much as the visitors tried to get back in touch, they were thwarted by sound defence from the hosts.

This Saturday, Merton entertain Haslemere, who were Surrey Division Four champions last term. Head coach Doug Bone adds a few players to his squad, knowing that he may have to replace the injured McLoughlin and Darren Glossop. Into contention come Warrick Glossop, Jimmy Sowersby, Walter Fieuw, Dan Somerset, James Ellis, Charl Beyleveld and Jason Newell.

New players, of all standards, are welcome to attend training on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm, under floodlights, at Morden Recreation Ground, Faversham Road, Morden. For more information, call Jack on 07970 166958.