The first game of the New Year was played in the bitterly cold thanks to a biting wind blowing the length of the pitch. The meteorological Gods rolled the dice again during the interval to add driving rain into the mix. Despite the testing conditions both sets demonstrated high levels of skill with very few handling errors and great determination to provide an intriguing contest. The home side just about deserved the win ultimately decided by Kaydan Michael's first half try.

Matson won the toss and elected to give the hosts first use of the wind for the opening forty minutes. As expected, the Saints dominated territorially but found the Gloucester side well organised and determined in defence. The shuddering hits went in from both sides with the Cornishmen probing for a weakness in the resilient black wall rendering the opening quarter a stalemate. Matson were penalised for holding on allowing Matt Shepherd his first shot at the posts on 21 minutes (3-0). A high tackle at the restart presented a second opportunity for points for the Saints’ fly-half but the kick fell agonisingly short of the crossbar. The visitors were started to chalk up the infringements and there was a sense of inevitability about the yellow card issued to full back Ryan Woodhouse. The Saints catch and drive from the resulting lineout was stopped just short of the line. Quick thinking by scrum half Dan Tyrrell found Kaydan Michael out wide allowing the flanker to crash over in Apples Corner. A brilliant touchline conversion by Matt Shepherd extended the Saints lead to 10-0 with 30 minutes gone. The Saints attempts to build on the lead were thwarted by solid defence from Matson and kicks to touch being over-egged in the strong wind. As halftime approach a rare breakout by Matson brought play to the home 22, the Saints were caught offside and flyhalf Connor Gwilliam slotted the penalty to make it 10-3 at the interval.

Both teams sought the sanctuary and warmth of the changing rooms at the break. The visitors were no doubt delighted to restrict the home side to just ten points and quickly put the strong wind to good effect at the start of the second half. The Saints were immediately pinned back in their 22 and a penalty for holding on allowed Gwilliam to pull back another three points (10-6). Matson tails were up but the found the Saints were equally determined in defence. A major turning point came when a 22 dropout was charged down resulting in a 5m scrum. The large visiting pack boasted two former Premiership props in Shaun Knight (Gloucester, Bath, Rouen) and George Porter (Worcester) now back playing with their home club Matson. It was a real education for the Saints front row of Ben Woodmansy (18yrs); Pete Harris (20yrs) and Matt Boothby (21yrs) and the lads responded to the challenge. The home pack stood firm, and a defensive set tackled and pushed Matson back to the 22. In the end the visitors settled for three points for an offside to make it 10-9. While the gap had closed to one point there was feeling that the tide had turned. The Saints used the restart to establish a foothold in the opposition half that they managed to retain for the final twenty minutes. Matt Shepherd added two more penalties and hit the post with a third. George Tregilgas had a try chalked off having just strayed in front of the kicker and Sam Parsons was unlucky not to keep a high ball in his grasp with the try line beckoning.

The Saints finished without too many scares to secure the 16-9 win; Matson undoubtedly deserved the consolation bonus for their efforts in difficult conditions.

Next week head up to Bristol to take on Chew Valley RFC, although the Somerset side are unexpectedly at the bottom end of the table after several promotion chasing seasons, they remain a decent side and will be a tough opposition on home turf.

Saints Player of the Match: Ben Woodmansey. Match Sponsors Power Audit UK selected young prop Ben who put a sterling display against powerful opposition in difficult conditions.