Haslemere had high hopes of a win against the league's second-from-bottom side in this re-arranged game on Sunday.

But they came up against opponents who clearly played well above their lowly status.

Haslemere started strongly at Bushey Park, kicking uphill on a firm, dry pitch – something of a rarity this season.

They took the lead after only seven minutes when, from a quick tap penalty deep in the Teddington 22, Johnson scored under the post to give Bannatyne an easy conversion.

From the restart, however, some sloppy handling and a defensive error inside the 'Mere 22 gave Teddington an easy three points.

Shortly after, Stokes, Woods and Marshall combined well in a breakaway down the right, only for Marshall to be tackled just short of the line and pass to the only defender in the home 22. Had Haslemere scored then, the game could have run a very different course.

As it was, the Teddington scrum-half began to marshall his troops, and release his very fast backs. Haslemere had no real answer to this, especially when the full-back linked with his attack, and Teddington scored a second penalty and two tries to take an 18-7 lead.

Bannatyne had taken every Teddington scrum against the head, but after 38 minutes the home side finally won their own put-in, broke down the right, switched to the left and scored a final try to lead 25-7 at half-time.

Haslemere coach Martin Hogwood made a number of tactical changes, switching Johnson to scrum-half and bringing on Kerry at flanker. This allowed Haslemere more control round the back of the scrum.

The 'Mere pack, playing "simple rugby", drove Teddington towards their own line and, after a succession of short penalties, Johnson dived over for his second try.

But Teddington resisted Haslemere's other advances and much of the rest of the game took place in midfield.

Surrey 2 is a difficult league. After the top five teams, each side is capable of beating any other. Haslemere are now fifth from bottom and face four more games against similarly placed opposition.