Smiths United into Junior Combination Cup Final

Smiths 2nd XV beat Old Patesians 2nd XV 22-20 in a real battle at Prince of Wales Stadium.

In perfect Wednesday night conditions, Smiths started well and worked up the pitch with their attacking shape and solid set piece. It was Old Pats who scored first though with a Smiths mistake out wide in the attacking 22 leading to a break away try against the run of play.

Smiths then scored with a Pats penalty kick giving the visitors a 5-10 lead at half time.

Smiths scored two quick tries in the third quarter to even things up 10-10 and then take the lead for the first time edging 15-10 in front. Along with some disruption to Pats through some injuries, Smiths were finding some dominance and spending more time in Pats 22.

Pressure told, first with a yellow card for a Pats forward and then a fourth try to give Smiths a 12 point advantage. 22-10 with eight minutes still to play.

Pats came straight back into the game as Smiths twice switched off, firstly not claiming a kick off to give Pats ball well into the Smiths 10m and then not covering a poor throw from Pats at the back of a lineout.

Pats third try took them to 22-20 with the clock in the red and final conversion to come. The missed kick gave the win but a draw would have been enough to see Smiths progress as they had scored to tries to Pats' 3.

Smiths United look forward to finals day on 2nd May at Stow with the 1st XV also in action that in the Community Cup quarter final.

Scorers were Ashton Pullin x2, Jack Birks and Tony Moore.

MoM - James Dangerfield and Jack Birks 

Saturday 11th April sees both sides in action with 1s away at Cheltenham North and United away at Ross on Wye 1st XV.