CHOSEN HILL FP 36 MATSON 10

When the two sides met at Redwell Road back in November it was Matson who ran out winners by twelve points but since then Chosen have been improving week on week and they were determined to avenge the earlier defeat.

Playing down the slope it was Matson who had the first opportunity to score when after ten minutes they kicked a penalty to the corner and went for a line out drive, but Chosen’s defence was well organised and their line was cleared. Five minutes later the visitors had a more straightforward penalty opportunity but this time Arron Fowke’s goal attempt fell just short.

It was Chosen who opened the scoring with a try that was one of their best of the season. Good interplay between forwards and backs set winger Tom Darby away up the right flank and as the Matson cover arrived he timed his pass to supporting full back Ashley Lewis to perfection, allowing Lewis to power through two or three tackle attempts and crash over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Five minutes later Chosen scored again as in-form number eight Ian Riddel finished off another good attacking move with a try wide out. Again Andy King’s conversion attempt fell short.

On the half hour Matson went for another penalty line out but again Chosen’s defence was strong, then, with half time approaching the visitors finally got their first points on the board when Winger Jeavon Brown crossed for a try, but Vince Lanciano’s conversion attempt drifted wide.

Chosen landed try number three in first half injury time when the home side took a quick tap penalty and with the Matson defence unorganised, centre Mike King was on hand to run in under the posts with brother Andy’s conversion giving their team a comfortable 17-5 interval lead.

Five minutes into the second half winger Tom Darby was rewarded for his good all round display when he used his pace to cross in the corner for Chosen’s forth and bonus point try and five minutes later he was again involved when slick interpassing between himself, centre Josh Pettifer and Lewis resulted in Lewis taking the final pass and crossing for his second try. King converted for a 29 – 5 lead.

Despite being under the cosh, Matson continued to battle well and with Chosen’s Ian Riddel in the bin for a technical offence they seized their opportunity to grab a second unconverted try when they drove over from a five metre line out.

Chosen however had the final say when they won a scrum fifteen metres out and number ten King cut through the defence to cross for and then convert a try near the posts.

Next week, Chosen travel to Burnham on Sea for another re-arranged league match.