Matson Given Masterclass by Wanderers

The Wanderers continued their unbeaten season with a blistering performance away at Matson.

The free-scoring Clifton side were without the likes of forwards Fergus Manners and Rob Penhale who were recalled to 1st XV duty this week. A range of injuries also added to selection issues but meant welcome call ups for exciting young prospect James Simons to the bench as well as flanker Justin McInroy and veteran full-back Allen Williams.

Despite recent form it was a much fired up Matson who drew first blood with some intelligent pressure kicking into the Cilfton 22. A solid line-out drive and some smart work by the Matson scrum-half saw the home side take an early seven point lead after 5mins.

Undisturbed Clifton worked their way well into Matson's half only to be rewarded with a held up effort over the line. The resulting scrum though allowed captain and no.8 Josh Goddard to bulldoze his way over for the first of his afternoons hat-trick.

Playing up the hill the visitors began to apply significant pressure on the home side stretching the green and black shirts from touchline to touchline until winger Reuben Caven broke free to score after the ball had passed through over ten sets of Clifton hands.

Players favourite, prop Ben Christie added to his seasons tally blasting through the midfield after Matson had found themselves honey potting at the breakdown.

It was Christie again who broke from the half way line only to put fly-half Luke Blizzard in under the posts.

A gutsy Matson though refused to lie down and again some smart kicking found them within range of the Clifton line and despite a controversial rolling maul stopping and starting again the Gloucester side barrelled over to bring them within two scores.

Skipper Goddard again took charge as Cliftons scrum dominated and the no.8 was rewarded with another pick and go score from 7 yards out.

Having to change pitch half way through a game due to an injured player is an occasional occurrence, but having to switch pitch after a 3ft deep hole is found in the middle of the grass surely must be a first. Thankfully no injuries were sustained as replacements Allen 'Scouse' Williams and Mike 'The Enforcer' O'Rielly checked the hole for Chileans miners and buried treasure the game moved to an alternative patch of green.

Clifton kept up the pressure in the second half with forwards m-o-m Max Woodward continuing to polish his selection credentials after a 50 yard break to score under the posts after some scintillating link play.

It was backs m-o-m Luke Blizzard though who's solo effort arguably stole the try of the day as the young half-back took control of the ball in his own 22 to slither through the Matson line and touch down after 80 yards.

Inspired by his team mates effort flanker Corey Barlow showed great pace to outwit the home sides back line to score from just inside the oppositions half.

Matson continued to threaten and their continued game plan to kick in behind the Clifton 22 almost bore fruit as the green and blacks skipper fumbled an good effort.

The game began to stall as Matson began to lose the reigns on their game plan and after a brief altercation between the home side's hooker and Clifton's Matt Saer over alledgedly which was better 'Earl Grey' or 'Darjeeling', replacement hooker Mike O'Rielly took to the field in place of Saer.

Clifton, unrelenting in their tightening of the screw saw Christie grab the second of his brace and Goddard take his well deserved tally to 3 tries. Second row Tom Barr also impressed, dominating the restarts that Clifton had worked so hard the past week to improve in training.

It was fitting though that joint m-o-m's Blizzard and Woodward should have the final words. Blizzard first capitalising on some great Clifton handling to score before Woodward's support of scrum-half George Thomas's break saw him put the final nail in Matsons coffin.

Blizzard rounded off his tally of 9 out of 12 conversions to bring proceedings to a close.

Final score 12 - 78. The Wanderers March on.

Next week forest side Drybrook travel over the bridge to 'Fortress Station Rd'.