Merton gave themselves a boost for next season when they ran out worthy winners over Surrey Division One side Chipstead last Saturday, a team that had finished third in their respective league.

The Morden Rec outfit were once again indebted to flying winger Patrick Graham who ran in four tries to take him to 37 for the season and 14 in his last five appearances.

They took the lead with an Andy Dent penalty before Graham ran in his first of the afternoon, taking advantage of slick work by the threequarter line.

He added another before the break after good work by Houston and Bignaut in the centre, with the powerful Clark coming into the line to make the overlap.

The visitors' only response during this period was a converted try of their own which gave them hope for the second half.

The pick of the home forwards , was Matt Thompson, pressed into service at number eight but giving a superb account of himself in an unfamiliar position.

Chipstead managed to run in two further tries in the second 40 minutes but were no match for a rampant Merton threequarter line with Graham, Bignaut and then Graham again racing over for tries to move the home side out of sight. Merton can be encouraged by this display, but they know that they must tighten up their scrummage before going onto the league stage again.

This Saturday Merton entertain more Division One opposition, with the visit of local rivals Raynes Park.

Skipper Gary Newark hopes to return to the side following injury and also recalls Stephan Lombard, Leigh Nichols, George Devonport and Dave Boyce to the starting line up.

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