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Ross' unbeaten start to the season was brought to an abrupt halt on Saturday, as they were unable to break down the home teams defence and Matson eventually ran out 15-3 winners.

Two unanswered tries in the second-half gave Matson the points after a lack-lustre Ross failed to keep their cool. Both teams started off quietly but a few back-line moves from the home team saw them in front of the posts and after Ross were penalised for diving in fly-half Aaron Fowke capitalised.

Matson were 3-0 ahead as Ross went on the attack, the back-line tried to get the visitors back in the game and when Matson were penalised for being offside, Ross thought they had their chance. But, Ross scrum-half James Hughes pushed the ball to the left and Ross were still left trailing.

Ross kept attacking and their work finally paid off when they turned the Matson scrum in the Matson half. The ball went through the hands of the Ross forwards before centre Bas Parker took the ball to the floor and Matson were penalised for going over the top.

This time Hughes didn't miss and levelled the score at 3-3 which remained at half-time. Matson came out fighting in the second-half, determined not to lose in front of their home fans. A period of pressure on the Ross defence saw the Matson forwards push for the line and prop Leighton Correia carry the ball over to put the home team back in the driving seat.

Fowke couldn't convert and a penalty 10 minutes later for playing the ball on the floor before the ruck was formed was also missed by the fly-half to keep the score at 8-3.

Tempers blazed and a fight broke out between the two teams, seeing Ross captain Gavin Oates sent to the bin for back-chat after claiming he was having his eye gouged by a Matson player. Both teams kept trying to find holes in the opposition defence but it was Matson that managed to capitalise after the referee missed a knock-on. Matson were on the attack and as winger Matt Callaghan passed the ball to full-back Vince Vanciano he knocked on. But the mistake was missed by the ref and Vanciano passed to number eight Dean Miller who went on to score in the corner.

This time, Fowke didn't miss and gave the home team a 15-3 win and two points.
The Ross on Wye Walford Timber Man of the Match was Tara Barnett .

Next Saturday 10th Oct Ross are at home to Old Colstonians from Bristol a 3pm kick off.

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