Merton came within a whisker of pulling off a remarkable comeback at Whiteley Village last Saturday.

Having trailed 32-5 at half-time, a successful conversion from Raonull MacKinnon would have won them the match, but his kick was charged down after the home side were allowed to attack the ball as the kicker began his run-up.

Merton gave league debuts to third XV pair Will Hitchcock and Connor Hayhoe, while another youngster Elton Bulku came onto the bench.

Merton started well, with Hayhoe and Jimmy McLoughlin featuring strongly in the loose, but Worth’s defence held firm.

Instead Worth went ahead with an early penalty and, not long afterwards, capitalised on a simple overlap to go 8-0 ahead.

After 15 minutes, Ed Lovatt took a nasty knock to the head and the game was stopped while an ambulance was called for the stricken player.

With wing Rob Pile also injured, Danny Trick came on at centre with Bulku taking over on the wing.

With Merton rocked, Worth took full advantage, running in four-further first-half tries, while a great individual effort from McLoughlin provided Merton’s response.

Turning round trailing by 27 points, many people wouldn’t have given Merton a prayer.

However, a stirring half-time pep talk from head coach Kieran Blogg appeared to revitalise the visitors.

With James Newark ruling the line-out and setting up great ball for the back division, surges down the left flank ended with Chuck Sanger picking up and forcing his way over the whitewash. MacKinnon added the extras with a superb kick.

Worth came back up the slope, but were undone by a loose ball in midfield.

Merton fly-half Josh McNamara picked up a wayward pass on his 10m line and scuttled down the hill with the home defence in hot pursuit, but to no avail.

Trailing 32-17, Merton were then awarded a penalty on their 10m line. As James Newell tried to get the ball to take a quick tap, he was stopped by the home centre on three occasions.

Then when skipper Max Kohn came onto the scene, his push succeeded in Merton finally getting the ball - but led to the official reversing his penalty decision and Worth increased their lead to 35-17.

The apparent injustice inspired Merton and a series of driving rucks down the right ended with Newbury dotting down.

Sensing victory, Merton went on the attack again and a loose ball from McNamara was fed to Trick, who used his power to force his way over close to the sticks. That left MacKinnon’s kick a formality and Merton just six points behind.

It was now one-way traffic and, as Merton pressed for another score, wing Luke Tabb was taken out by a blatant high tackle only for the official to judge that it had not been deliberate.

Another great take by Newark at the lineout led to the Merton threequarters spinning the ball wide, Glenn Williamson drawing his man to give Tabb the ball, but still a lot to do.

The winger was determined to make it and cut back inside the final defender to dot down and set-up the nail-biting finale.

It was now that official allowed the home side to attack the ball as MacKinnon prepared to begin his run up. Although there was time to re-start the match, there was insufficient left for Merton to mount a final attack.

Merton face a rearranged Surrey Bowl fixture at Reigate this Saturday.