Wells 43 Matson 22
Matson are still deep in trouble in South West One West after letting a 17-point lead slip.
They had the best of the early encounters and their endeavours were rewarded after eight minutes.
It followed a steal at the lineout by Ben Stokes who made good distance before passing to Farrell Gwillam.
He flicked on to Aaron Tonks, who then released Ryan Woodhouse to go over in the corner for a try. Woodhouse also converted.
Ten minutes later, following further Matson pressure on the home side who were trying to run the ball from midway in their own half, the visitors stretched their lead.
An interception by Jervan Brown 25 metres out saw him go under the posts and Woodhouse converted.
Five minutes later, Woodhouse converted a penalty to put the visitors 17-0 after the home side were punished for not releasing.
From this point, the home side started to get their act together and immediately hit back with a well taken unconverted try to reduce the deficit.
The home side continued to dominate for the latter part of the first half and it was only dogged and determined defence by the visitors that ensured Matson led 17-5 at the interval.
The pattern of play by the home side during the closing minutes of the first half gave a clear indication of what the visitors could expect in the second half.
Immediately from the restart, the home side gathered the ball and drove through the centre of the Matson defence for a converted try and within two minutes an almost identical move saw the home side touch down again for a converted try to put them 19-17 up.
Matson, not learning from the warning signs, and with indiscipline and lack of shape, conceded a further pair of converted tries and suddenly within 15 minutes of the restart the home side were ahead 33-17.
Matson then came back into the game and pressurised the home line for a considerable time but with over-complication at the lineout, failed to capitalise on their domination until they finally realised that the traditional format of gain and drive at the lineout should be the preferred option which was rewarded with Jack Knight touching down for an unconverted try to make the score 33-22.
The remaining 15 minutes proved a scrappy affair with both sides frustrated by some questionable refereeing decisions but they proved most productive for the home side who added a further converted try and penalty to give them a 43-22 victory. It was an outcome which was considered by many to be an unlikely outcome given the first half pattern of play.
