Matthews keeps eye on the ball
EVER-PRESENT flyhalf Tommy Matthews has enjoyed a fine season off the tee for Hartpury University adopting a ‘less is more’ approach to his kicking in training.
Matthews, 22, is fifth in the Championship points scoring chart on 105, despite only taking on the responsibility in November.
“The first few months of the season I wasn’t on kicking duties for a lot of it as we had loan boys in, but it was good to get that responsibility back and score lots of points,” Matthews told The Rugby Paper.
“I’ve changed up what I do this year. I do less kicking in training now – when I used to kick loads in a week, I’d overthink it a bit. I’ve changed up my training and I’m pleased with how my kicking is going.
“I used to do a lot more when I was younger which didn’t do my groins any good and it made me feel tight all the time.
“Now in training, I set a number on the amount of kicks and even if I’ve missed a few or the last one I leave it there no matter what happens.”
Following defeat to Coventry in the last round, Hartpury dropped from fifth to seventh in the league standings. Last season’s seventh place finish is their highest ever finish and they are striviong to improve on that.
Matthews, who has played in every minute of the students’ campaign, is enjoying playing 80 minutes each week after struggling for game time in the past at Northampton Saints and Wasps.
“It’s looking pretty tight at the minute as there’s a few teams around us,” said Matthews.
“It’s the first time I’ve played in every minute of a senior season, so that’s been really good for me in terms of my learning as in the past I’ve been on the bench for a few games for Hartpury or before that, at Northampton or Wasps, it would be a game once every couple of weeks.
“We try and keep our environment positive. The players love it, we’re in early mornings, so you’ve got to love rugby to be able to do that. All the lads buy in and stick together.”
Hartpury have three matches remaining – at home against London Scottish, away to Cornish Pirates and at home to Caldy on the final day.
Piartes jumped up to fifth with their win against Caldy last week and Matthews knows there are no easy games in the Championship and expects a difficult run in.
He said: “London Scottish can get some Harlequins lads in and be a difficult opposition, Cornish Pirates away is always a tough one traditionally as it’s such a hard place to go and Caldy have had some good results this year.
“We’re hoping to get wins out of those games but it’s not a given. Last weekend we lost to Ampthill and they’re below us, so we know anything can happen.”