Matson will be on a revenge mission next month after last night’s North Gloucestershire Combination Senior Cup draw paired them with holders Longlevens in the first round of this season’s competition.

Last season’s runners-up will have home advantage on Tuesday 9^th April but Longlevens won’t be short of confidence after their stunning 42-32 win in the final at Kingsholm in May.

Longlevens, who are top of Regional 1 Western North, play two divisions below Matson, who are ninth in the 12-strong Regional 1 South West following last season’s promotion.

Last season’s Senior Cup success was the first time Longlevens had won the competition since 1961 while Matson have been serial winners over the years.

“It’s a great first game to start the competition,” said Longlevens chairman Richard Bennett. “It’s a great rematch of last season’s final. It will be tough but the lads will be up for it, it should be a cracker.”

Just the top eight teams in the Combination will compete in this season’s Senior Cup which means that the flagship teams of Brockworth, Old Cryptians, Gloucester Old Boys and Widden Old Boys will play in the Junior Cup.

Gloucester Old Boys, who are so close to winning the Counties 3 Gloucestershire North title after their 10-6 win at closest rivals Bredon Star on Saturday, are one of five teams to have been given a bye into the second round.

Finals day will be held at Kingsholm on Sunday 5^th May.  

Senior Cup first round draw: Old Richians v Chosen Hill, Matson v Longlevens, Coney Hill v Old Centralians, Hucclecote v Gordon League. Ties to be played Tuesday 9th April.

Martin Slatter Junior Cup first round draw: Old Cryptians v Longlevens 2nds, Gordon League 2nds v Chosen Hill 2nds, Old Centralians 2nds v Widden Old Boys. Ties to be played Wednesday 10th April. Byes: Gloucester Old Boys, Brockworth, Matson 2nds, Coney Hill 2nds, Hucclecote 2nds.  

Glanville Cup first round draw: Old Cryptians 2nds v Gloucester Old Boys 2nds. Tie to be played Thursday 11th April. Second round draw: Chosen Hill 3rds v Longlevens 3rds, Widden Old Boys 2nds v Matson 3rds, Gloucester All Blues v Gordon League 3rds, Old Cryptians 2nds or Gloucester Old Boys 2nds v Brockworth 2nds. Ties to be played Thursday 18th April.

The North Gloucestershire Combination are grateful for the support of main sponsor Freemans Event Partners.