Report by Steve Murley

Saints began their foray into the Papa Johns Community Cup with a trip to Matson, an iconic name in south west rugby. This competition is no end-of-season jolly with the Saints competing in a pool alongside the other two South West league winners plus the best 2nd placed team across all three leagues. Matson themselves celebrated their second successive undefeated league winning season and the Saints were looking forward to testing themselves once again the best sides at their level.

The Matson pitch was understandably very wet after the torrential weather but great credit to the Matson volunteers who worked tirelessly to produce a pitch that was to be the backdrop to a fantastic game of rugby and a dramatic afternoon.
Saints kicked off playing away from the clubhouse and Matson playing up the slope in the first half. Matson immediately attacked throwing wave after wave of hard running forwards at the Saints who showed what a well organised defence they had repulsing the Matson runners time and again.

With the pitch forcing both sides to limit the likelihood of mistakes in the slippery middle of the pitch the game became a kicking battle. After 15 minutes Matson had a great attacking opportunity from a lineout 10m from the Saints line but once again the away side produced a great turn over.

Shepherd kicked downfield with Dan Tyrell in hot pursuit. Just inside the Matson half, Tyrell hacked the ball through but with the Matson player slightly late the referee awarded a penalty to the Saints for a trip on Tyrell and asked the Matson player to leave the field for 10 minutes.
The Saints saw their chance and from a lineout it was Cam Taylor who emerged from the pile of bodies to claim the first try of the game
Matson 0 – Saints 5 ( 23 mins – Cam Taylor Try )

The Saints were now enjoying their share of the ball and a clever kick from CJ Boyce saw them win a lineout just outside the Matson 22 through Vian. Shepherd looked up and with a clever cross-kick it was Tyrell who gathered to skip over wide on the left-hand side. Shepherd added the extras from a difficult angle.

Matson 0 – Saints 12 ( 28 mins – Dan Tyrrell Try Matt Shepherd Conversion )

With Matson restored to 15 they demonstrated how champions react and pummelled away at the Saints line again. A dart from scrumhalf Stokes and a clever inside pass to Tom Porter running a cute inside line saw the Matson number 8 crash over the line for a well worked try. Farrell adding the extras
Matson 7 – Saints 12 ( 34 mins – Tom Porter Gwilliam Farrell Conversion )

Matson continued to attack but the Saints defence and lineout especially were working well in repulsing them, turning over a lineout deep in the Saints 22 and clearing the ball.

In what was to be the last action of a pulsating first half Shepherd was late tackled in the art of kicking and another Matson player was shown the yellow card. Shepherd took the kick from the place where the ball landed succeeding with the penalty and the ref whistled for the end of the half.
Matson 7 – Saints 15 ( 39 mins – Matt Shepherd Penalty )

Half time

Matson kicked off the second half playing down the slope and would have been delighted to get some points on the board when the referee penalised Saints for not releasing the ball after a tackle
Matson 10 – Saints 15 ( 45 mins – Gwilliam Farrell Penalty )

With both sides testing each other to the limit it was the Saints who came up with the next score. A long kick downfield was gathered by the Matson winger deep in his 22. With Dan Tyrell chasing well, an object lesson for any young winger, there was a mix up between 2 Matson players. Tyrell gathered the ball and found a rampaging Ben Plummer on his shoulder to gleefully dive over the line from a couple of metres. Shepherd added the conversion.

Matson 10 – Saints 22 ( 55 mins – Ben Plummer Try Matt Shepherd Conversion )

The Saints had nudged their way ahead again and were confident that they could hold on but this game had drama a-plenty. After a tackle from Rob Jeffs on his opposing number, the referee deemed it to be high and worthy of a red card, leaving the Saints to play out the final 20 minutes with only 14
Red Card – Rob Jeffs ( 60 mins )

Coach Marriott made the decision to replace Konnor Ewudzi with a forward to keep 8 forwards on the field and Joe Maunder joined the pack at the next scrum
Replacement ( Joe Maunder for Konnor Ewudzi 63 mins )

Matson upped their game and sensing that the Saints may have been tiring attacked with added vigour. From a lineout Tom Porter found space on the blind side to crash over for his second try
Matson 15 – Saints 22 ( 65 mins – Tom Porter )

Coach Marriott cleared his bench with Hector Bright replacing Rory Jago to give a little extra energy and pace in ball carrying as the game broke up a little
Replacement ( Hector Bright for Rory Jago 67 mins )

With the Saints still defending magnificently and attacking with purpose it was disappointment to see Sam Parsons take a knock which necessitated him leaving the field, thankfully nothing too serious. Saints were not weakened as Konor Ewudzi returned to the fray and immediately began to make his contribution to an impressive defensive stint
Replacement ( Konnor Ewudzi for Sam Parsons 72 mins )

The crowd were being treated to a great game which showcased the best in community rugby in attack and defence. It was Matson who scored next to pull themselves within two points of Saints. With the Saints getting a little narrow in defence Matson moved the ball wide: desperate scramble defence from the Saints, patient re-cycling from Matson and scrum-half Stokes dived over
Matson 20 – Saints 22 ( 75 mins – Joe Stokes )

With the extras not taken the Saints still had a two point lead and were not going to give that up easily, while Matson sniffed a great comeback.

Saints cleared their heads and marched downfield, patiently retaining possession. With time running out a Matson player risked handling in a ruck to re-gain the ball but was spotted by the eagle-eyed referee who awarded a penalty to Saints. Shepherd cooly stepped up and slotted the 3 points.
Matson 20 – Saints 25 ( 78 mins – Matt Shepherd Penalty )

With 2 minutes to play Matson threw everything at the Saints who showed yet again how well organised their defence can be. Finally Matson infringed at a line-out , and the referees whistle went for no-side. Cue Wild Celebrations from the Saints and their fantastic supporters !!!!!!!

This was a wonderful advertisement for community rugby. Two highly motivated, very skilful and fit sides testing each other to their limits in attack and defence. The league format of this competition means that nothing is yet settled with the Saints due to play Marlborough, who also won, at Tregorrick on 15th April. Another fantastic afternoon of rugby is on the cards