Promotion-chasing Purley John Fisher failed to get started as they drew 7-7 with Effingham & Leatherhead in London South West Three on Saturday, writes Martin Bruck.

The visitors belied their lowly league position in taking their game to the hosts and pegged PJF into their own half for the majority of the game.

PJF generally defended well and in parts showed why they could play better than they actually did. Fly half Alistair Fox showed glimpses of awareness and skill as he broke through the intensive cover on a couple of occasions only to be thwarted by the visitors' rear guard. Tom Campbell punched holes and from an early foray freed Ruairi Campbell-Carson to cross over to open the scoring, Stuart Sorrel converted.

Thereafter it was all Effingham as they stuck to their core drills and penned PJF down.

They were rewarded in the second half when after several pick up an drive's from the pack, play was suddenly switched and their fly half sped into the corner. This was followed by a monumental conversion from the touchline to even the scores.

The game drifted into a malaise after that with PJF playing strong but not smart enough to take anything but a point from the match.

Next weekend is a rest from League rugby and the competition resumes on March 1 with PJF visiting Old Reigatians.

PJF's second fifteen lost 22-3 to Dorking in a Surrey Merit table. Despite playing well and holding good territorial advantage PJF were unable to convert this into points.

Dorking hit several times on the break and sealed the win with their third try half way through the second half.