Smiths Rugby start League Campaign with Two Bonus Point Victories
Both Smiths Rugby men's teams, start the league season with bonus point wins against Hucclecote and Cheltenham Civil Service respectively.
Smiths United started their Counties 4 season strongly with an 11 try 22-71 away win at Cheltenham Civil Service, known as the CCS Warpigs.
Smiths United skipper Ben Williams began a fine points-scoring performance from outside half with an early try to go with 16 points from the boot as Smiths raced into a 0-31 lead.
The away team scored a variety of tries on the day with a driving maul, precision back play and swift counter attacks all on show. Matched by a brave Smiths defensive effort, Civil Service had to rely on a rare Smiths mistake here and there to pick up their points.
Each time the home side took advantage of a dropped ball or missed cover at a lineout, Smiths clicked back into gear and kept them at arms length throughout.
Louis Staley, a debutant at outside center, was to the fore in all aspects of play and finished the game with a well-deserved hat-trick and awarded Player of the Match after making a great start in a Smiths shirt.
Smiths Rugby 1st XV didn't have it quite so easy but overcame a tricky league opener in Cheltenham at the Prince of Wales Stadium.
Hucclecote were Smiths 1st VX's opponent and the home side weren't at their best vs a strong outfit promoted into Counties 2 this season. A bonus point win was still claimed however and with some late game chaos Smiths found a way to secure a 29-24 victory.
Head Coach Ben Parker was left happy with the 5 points but looking forward to working on a few areas to improve.
Player of the Match Will Allenby (2), Matty Williams (1) and Ben Hawker (1) were the talisman for Smiths Rugby.
Next up the United side welcome Matson 2s to Prince of Wales Stadium on Saturday 3rd October, with the 1st XV away at Old Elizabethians, both of which will be another stern test.
Thoughts also jump ahead to Saturday 10 October as Smiths 1st XV will welcome Chosen Hill and the club welcome all of our kind sponsors for the day.
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