Royal Wootton Bassett registered a second successive defeat with a 29-12 defeat away to Matson on the weekend.
Bassett travelled to Gloucester for the first ever fixture between the two clubs and the visitors went with high hopes of claiming points in the mid table clash. However, a disrupted start dented Bassett’s preparation when traffic problems forced them to undertake a two-hour journey to the ground via Stroud. Bassett never recovered and provided the significant support with a flat performance.

Matson kicked off with the advantage of the slope and a crosswind. The Gloucester side immediately went on the attack and Bassett were forced into a defensive approach. After 10 minutes, the hosts scored the first try in the corner following a lineout and drive to lead 5-0. Midway through the half, a similar try saw the lead extended to 10-0. Bassett had struggled to get out of their half and were on the back foot for a long period as the pressure continued. Matson continued to dominate the tie and added two further converted tries, including one in added time, to go in with a deserved 24-0 lead at the interval with the try bonus already secured.

Jack Daynes launches a Bassett attackJack Daynes launches a Bassett attack (Image: Tony Geerah)

Bassett now pinned their hopes on the advantage of the slope and the need to up their game as they tried to turn around their fortunes. Bassett certainly began to put the leading Matson side under more pressure after the interval as they looked for a route back into the game. However, the Gloucester men were defending well and clearing their lines well which meant the away side could not turn the game around easily. Neither side had a clear-cut chance until the 70th minute, when Bassett’s Byron Lloyd-Gilmour received a pass in his own half and raced the length of the field to score impressively. Fly-half and skipper Sam Baker slotted the conversion. Matson immediately responded with a neat try of their own. Lloyd-Gilmour added a late consolation try but Bassett never looked like overturning the home side’s lead.

Bassett’s defeat leaves the side hugely disappointed with the performance against a decent side. They have dropped to 8th Regional 1 Tribute South West of South West Division after the loss and will certainly be hoping to turn their game around when they welcome 10th placed Sidmouth from South Devon for another first-time clash on Saturday at home.