Resurgent Matson produced a standout performance to stun Lydney in Regional 1 South West on Saturday.

Roared on by their home support, they beat the Forest of Dean club 19-5 to claim back-to-back wins in the 12-strong division.

“It was a good win,” said experienced tighthead prop Shaun Knight. “Over the past few weeks we’ve turned a bit of a corner, we’ve got a few more players available.”

Lydney began the day in fourth spot – they are now fifth – and Saturday’s victory followed Matson’s 39-12 success over Chew Valley just before Christmas.

“There’s no magic formula,” said Knight, who is player/coach. “We were able to put out an 18 against Lydney that can compete in this league.”

Lydney put more than 70 points on Marlborough at the end of November and Knight continued: “To concede only five points against them was really good, we showed great defensive discipline.”

The win was Matson’s fourth in 13 games. They remain bottom of the table, but Knight, who will turn 36 next month, said: “The aim is to stay up. It’s hard because when you’re struggling you do wonder if this is the right division for you, it’s so tough.

“But then you get a couple of wins and it changes your perspective, you think this is where we belong.”

And there’s no shortage of belief after Saturday’s win.

“It’s a Gloucestershire derby, it’s always a good one to win, it’s special,” added Knight, the former Gloucester star who has also played for Bath, Rouen, Edinburgh, Newport Dragons and Hartpury.

Wing Shane Burford scored both Matson’s tries on Saturday and Jake Hanley slotted three penalties but the men of the match awards went to full-back Ryan Woodhouse and back row Tom Collier.

All four will be key players over the next few months for Matson but it doesn’t get any easier because their next three games are all away against Exmouth, Sidmouth and Marlborough.