Smith brilliance gains the spoils (From Stroud News and Journal)

Smith brilliance gains the spoils

Glos Premier Painswick 10 Southmead 6

PAINSWICK secured two Glos Premier League points with a hard-fought victory against Southmead on Saturday.

With both sides desperately needing the points, Painswick showed greater imagination, choosing to throw the ball around, whereas Southmead used their large forwards. Both defences proved a tough nut to crack, with limited scoring chances, however Painswick flanker Matt Coombs finally found a way through in the last ten minutes to set up a try for winger Aussie Smith.

Painswick played up the slope in the first half and started strongly with their forwards making inroads, they were rewarded with a penalty, centre Olly Clewes duly adding the three points.

Southmead hit back when Painswick were penalised at a ruck, their centre made no mistake with the resulting kick.

Painswick then endured a sustained period of pressure from the visitors but their defence stood up to the task and kept them out leaving the scores 3-3 at the interval.

The second-half saw the roles reversed with Painswick leaving the visitors pinned in their own 22 for long periods.

They were awarded several kickable penalties but they turned down the chance to kick at goal. This nearly proved their downfall, with the visitors soaking up the pressure, and with their first excursion into Painswick's half they were awarded a penalty, which their centre duly kicked to five them a 6-3 lead.

Painswick upped the tempo and were finally rewarded when winger Smith crossed near the corner after an excellent break from flanker Coombs which was well supported by full back Ewan Craig who fed Smith to score an excellent try, Clewes added the extra points with a well-struck conversion.

The visitors tried to hit back but came up against a determined defence which enabled Painswick to collect the two league points.

For Painswick James Reed and Matt Iles won some good lineout ball, while behind the scrum fly half Mark Bragg showed some good flashes of skill, however man of the match was flanker Chris Hall for his tireless work in defence and attack.

This weekend sees Painswick tackling Hucclecote at Broadham Fields, kick-off 2.30pm, in a "friendly".

* Fixtures for Saturday (December 18): Painswick 1st XV v Hucclecote (home, meet 1pm, kick-off 2.30pm); Painswick United v Gloucester Civil Service (home, meet 1pm, kick-off 2.15pm). Teams selected after training on Tuesday. Any problems please contact Kev Harris on 07968400037 or Julian Mitchell on 07747600764.