Matthews leads his team out at Carmarthen Park tonight (Thursday, 11 Jan) when they head west to take on a much-improved Carmarthen Quins side in the televised game on S4C.
A bonus-point win could take last season’s ‘Invincibles’ level on points with third placed Newport and confirm skipper Matthews firm belief that his side are still very much in the race for a play-off place.
“If you had offered us the record we’ve achieved so far this season before it all kicked-off I think we would have taken it,” said Matthews.
“We’re still feeling our way in this league and it is testing our strength in depth. When you take into account call-ups for the region and Wales U20, it makes it very difficult and we can get a little bit stretched.
“But apart from the defeats at Llandovery and at home against Newport, I don’t think there has been any team that has been that much better than us. Even in last weekend’s loss to Aberavon we hit back in the second half and almost pulled in out of the fire at the death.
“It’s all about getting up for the big games – and that is every week in this league. It took a half-time bollocking last week to get us going and we can’t have that again.
“We’ve got to start better, be more intense and make sure it is personal.”
While there may be a few around thinking the wheels have come off at Pontypool Park, Matthews warns the sceptics should think again. Pooler have punched above their weight for most of the season and intend to continue to do so for the rest of their first campaign back in the top-flight since 2012.
“Every game is tough and we need to get up for every game. Even though we beat the Quins 45-21 at home, we knew we had been in a game,” admitted Matthews.
“They’ve just picked up a good win at Bridgend and I’m sure they’ll be wanting to add out scalp to their collection. It’s a big game for us and we need to hit back after last weekend.”
Carmarthen Quins: Leon Randell; Dale Ford, Iestyn Gwilliam, Josh Batcup, Dylan Richards; Charlie Titcombe, Rhodri Davies; James Newnian, Sion Jones, Connor Allen, Lee Taylor, Josh Helps, Tom Phillips, Thomas Curry, Lewys Millin
Reps: Sam O’Connor, Lewis Morgan, Ifan James, Ryan Bean, Iestyn Wood, Gethin Davies, Tom Jones, Ryan Davies
