Smiths will host Dings Crusaders 2nds on Thursday week, in their Counties 2 Gloucestershire promotion play-off.

The Bristol-based club booked their place in the end-of-season showdown at the Prince of Wales Stadium after they were given a home walkover by Dursley in Counties 2 Gloucestershire South on Saturday.

That ensured they finished on top of their 12-strong division, three points ahead of Frampton Cotterell, having won 19 and drawn one of their 22 games.

Smiths, meanwhile, clinched the Counties 2 Gloucestershire North title a month ago and Friday night’s 42-21 win at Cirencester meant they went through the league campaign unbeaten, winning all 22 of their games.

That is a remarkable achievement, as is the fact that they have now won three league titles in the past four years.

They were beaten in the play-off final by Clifton 2nds a couple of years ago – a game that was also played at the Prince of Wales Stadium – but the club are determined to book their place in Counties 1 Western North in 2025/26 with head coach Ben Parker telling The Local Answer last month: “I think we’re ready to step up.”

It won’t be easy against Dings Crusaders 2nds. Their flagship team play in National League 1 alongside the likes of Richmond and Rosslyn Park and they have scored more than 1,000 points in Counties 2 Gloucestershire South this season.

Smiths have a very busy few weeks coming up because their game against Dings comes five days after their Papa John’s Cup Counties 2 Championship game at home to Old Patesians.

The two clubs were also drawn against each other in the Cheltenham Combination Senior Cup – also at the Prince of Wales Stadium – but the Pats have given Smiths a walkover in that competition.

It means Smiths will play the winners of the tie between Stow-on-the-Wold and Cheltenham North in the Senior Cup on finals day at Cheltenham Saracens on Saturday 10^th May.

Cheltenham Combination Cup draws – Senior Cup semi-finals: Stow-on-the-Wold v Cheltenham North; Smiths v Old Patesians, HWO.

Junior Cup first round: Cheltenham North 2nds v Old Patesians 2nds (match B); CCS Warpigs v Smiths 2nds (match C). Semi-finals: Stow-on-the-Wolds 2nds v winner of match B; winner of match C v Cheltenham Saracens.

Minor Shield first round: Old Patesians 3rds v Smiths 3rds (match A); Cheltenham Saracens 2nds v CCS Warpigs 2nds (match C): Cheltenham North 3rds v Gloucestershire Police (match D). Semi-finals: winner of match A v Bye; winner of match C v winner of match D.