All Golds take game on the road

Gloucestershire All Golds will remember former Great Britain international “Mad” Arthur Smith when they take their Championship 1 game with Hemel on the road next week.

The All Golds will play Hemel on Wednesday July 31 at Regentsholme, the home of Lydney RFC, to mark the start of an official partnership between the two clubs.

Smith, who hailed from the Lydney region, played for Great Britain in the “Great Match” between Great Britain and the New Zealand All Golds in Cheltenham back in 1908, while playing his club rugby for Oldham.

He had started his career playing rugby at Yorkley, before progressing to Cinderford and then switching to the then Northern Union. He also fought for his country during the First World War, resuming his career after the hostilities despite having a German bullet in his body for the rest of his days.

Colin Henderson, the Lydney RFC first team manager, said: “Everyone is looking forward to witnessing professional Rugby League for the first time ever in these parts. 

“The All Golds clash with Hemel is what we anticipate will be the first step in a long and fruitful relationship between the Lydney club and the University of Gloucestershire.”

The All Golds, in their first season as a professional club, have registered two wins in Championship 1 this season, while fellow newcomers Hemel sit in third place.