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Smiths head to high-flying Stroud full of confidence after four-game winning run

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Sunday, 2nd November 2025, 09:00

Smiths began their four-game winning run with a 45-24 success at home to Old Elizabethans

Smiths have eased into the top three of Counties 2 Gloucestershire on the back of a good run of form.

Their 59-26 win at Old Richians a couple of weeks ago was their fourth in a row, a run which has seen them score more than 200 points.

They are five points adrift of leaders Frampton Cotterell and second-placed Stroud, who they play under the lights at Fromehall Park on Friday 7th November.

Smiths’ run of form is all the more impressive because they were beaten 43-14 by St Mary’s Old Boys on the opening day of the season.

“We were humbled,” admitted head coach Ben Parker. “I thought pre-season had gone well but we were undercooked, we played one game against Longlevens and that wasn’t enough.”

Since then they’ve enjoyed wins against Old Elizabethans, Dursley and Old Patesians, who they also beat in the Community Cup, as well as the victory over Old Richians.

The 51-5 success over the Pats in the league game was particularly impressive and Parker continued: “We’ve improved dramatically, we’ve got our season back on track.

“We’re looking strong, we’re scoring a lot of tries.”

Smiths are locked on 20 points with St Mary’s Old Boys and Cinderford 2nds, with Smiths travelling to Cinderford on Saturday 22nd November.

A week later they host Frampton Cotterell and Parker said: “We’ll know a lot more about where we are by December.

“There are some strong teams in this division, it’s a tough league to win but that’s the goal.”

Smiths won Counties 2 Gloucestershire North last season - they won all 20 of their games - but missed out on promotion when they lost out to Dings Crusaders 2nds in a play-off.

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Smiths head to high-flying Stroud full of confidence after four-game winning run

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