Streatham-Croydon ran out comfortable 32-8 winners over last year's finalists Merton last night to book a place in the Surrey Bowl Final.

Streatham arrived in determined mood and were cheered on throughout the game by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters that made the absence of the Frant Road Factor irrelevant.

Streatham scored a try within the first five minutes after a series of powerful forward drives gave young lock Matt Murray the chance to steal over the line, Charlie Greenhill unlucky to hit the post with the conversion.

Merton hit back with a try in the right-hand corner by winger Jaco Storm after good ground was made in the centres to tie the scores at 5-5.

Merton were applying pressure all over the park and took the lead for the only time in the game with a penalty for not releasing after a clever kick through from the fly-half bobbled awkwardly for the Streatham defence.

Man-of-the-match Lynton Brinck was spoken to by the excellent referee Paula Carter for some off-the-ball handbags with the opposition but that didn’t stop him pouncing on a loose Merton lineout soon after and sprinting 65 metres to score a brilliant opportunist try.

Merton still had time to push a penalty kick right of the posts before half-time, 10-8 to Streatham-Croydon.

Merton were the more positive at the start of the second half, putting pressure on the Streatham line.

Some superb defensive work and clever kicking from left-wing Greenhill gave Streatham the platform to launch Murray into a series of impressive line-out wins as several well controlled forward drives created an overlap out on the right for Aaron Brown to score, Greenhill knocking over the extras, 17-8.

Merton then gave away a penalty for offside after more Streatham pressure in front of the posts, Green hill once more successful in extending the lead to 20-8.

Garvin C.J. Toussaint then scored a try after more good forward work on the left, again converted to make it 27-8.

Streatham were now in complete control and opted to bring on a few subs.

With everything to prove before the final on Sunday the replacements were rewarded for their bravery with a try from Ben Also , again converted by Greenhill to make the final score 32-8.

Streatham now go on to play Old Blues in the final this Sunday at Imber Court, East Molesey, kick off at noon.