Just
two months later we were delighted to announce that the powerful young back-rower
had signed from Worcester along with centre Duncan Murray.
With
a name like 'Evans' it was felt that this South African had roots in Wales, but
no, his mum and dad having emigrated from York in 1979 along with his brother
and two sisters.
As
a youngster Matt enjoyed playing cricket, representing Natal at various levels,
intul in his early teens he became bigger and stronger for rugby to take preference.
When
he was 18 and playing for Natal U19s, an invitation was given him to join Hartpury
College, Gloucester, which he accepted, playing also for the 'Cherry & Whites'
before joining Worcester.
Matt
certainly impressed in his early games for the Pirates, scoring a super try with
a man-of-the-match performance against Coventry in September, 2004, to help record
our first league win of that season.
A
week later, however, on the last Saturday of the month, personal disaster struck
in the away match at Nottingham when he seriously injured and ankle which sadly
kept him out for the rest of the season. It was a difficult time, but he much
appreciated the support given by coaching staff and players, and the best wishes
expressed by supporters.
Matt
did not play again until August, 2005,his frustrations hopefully overcome, though
a knee injury at the start of October kept him out for some weeks.
At
the end of the season a plate was removed from his injured ankle, a summer was
spent playing cricket for Penzance, and by the off he was back to his best form.
Matt
made 20 appearances for the Cornish Pirates in 2006-07, but his season ended cruelly
when he broke a bone in his leg and damaged ankle ligament in the final match
away to Coventry. An operation at the Capio Duchy Hospital, Truro, was performed,
it hoped that after convalescence he will make a complete return to fitness.
