JUST THE TRICK ON CLUB RELAUNCH DAY
MERTON 44 - HASLEMERS 6
Merton 1st XV recorded their biggest win of the season with a comprehensive victory over visitors, Haslemere. The Morden Rec outfit even had to make a few last minute adjustments, when Craig Gigg dropped out late in the day due to work commitments and James Newark was delayed getting to the ground, also due to work commitments. Into the side came father and son duo, Trevor and Neil Quinn, both called up from the 3rd XV just before kick-off. In the threequarters, Merton were able to give 1st XV debuts to Raonull MacKinnon and Josh McNamara, both returning after injury. The late arrival of Newark saw the captaincy pass to prop, Max Kohn.
This was a big day for the Club with the launch of their new identity, "Lions Shop Online" provided by Raging Bull Sportwear and Clubhouse environment "The Den". Therefore the Mighty Merton Boys wanted to put on a show in front of new Gold Sponsors Chateau 6 an exclusive Nightclub in Fulham Broadway. Playing down the slope in the first-half, it was obvious early on that the home back division had the upper hand on their opponents, centre Danny Trick and wingman Rob Greenwood both going close after making breaks. It was the former who opened the scoring, taking a short pass from McNamara and bursting through the visitors’ defence to dot down close to the sticks, with Luke Tabb adding the conversion and, soon after, a penalty to give his side a ten point advantage. Haslemere reduced the deficit with a well-struck penalty, before McNamara scored his first try for the Club, his arcing run taking him beyond the opposition’s midfield to slide over to the right of the posts, Tabb again converting. The home threequarters were now rampant, great hands down the line seeing the ball reach Greenwood, who had too much gas for his opposite number to take him on the outside and dive over the whitewash in the corner. A second penalty to the visitors doubled their tally. Just before half-time, Merton added their fourth try after the Mere defence, keeping a close eye on Trick, left Ed Lovatt to take the ball on and slip a scoring pass to MacKinnon, racing through a large gap for an excellent try.
After the break, the hosts were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal and, perhaps, became a bit too ambitious in their repertoire. A few passes went to ground and Mere were able to enjoy their most productive period of the match and, for the first time, exert some pressure on the home side. The Merton defence held firm though, with Dean Evans putting in a few big hits, and the forwards were soon working their way up the field, the younger Quinn being prominent in the loose and getting great support from a mobile pack, Chris Corby, Nick Ramsey and Tim Rossiter each showing their paces. A straightforward penalty chance saw Tabb extend the advantage, before Trick scored his sixth try of the season, again breaking tackles to dot down. Merton’s last try of the afternoon came after good work from Rob Pile and James Newbury, the ball then reaching Greenwood, who chipped the ball forward and won the foot race to complete his brace.
This was an excellent performance from the Merton XV, and Coach Kieran Blogg was, understandably, a happy man at the final whistle. This Saturday, however, they must do without Kohn and Ramsey, and also the two Robs, Pile and Greenwood.
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 or visit our website www.mertonrugby.org