Smith proud to be named new Raiders’ captain

The 28-year-old, who has played for the club for 11 years, takes over from Matt Miles and admits being made captain was the deciding factor in him staying at Roundstone Lane.

Smith had the chance to stay in National 1 with a London-based club but he said: “There was some interest there but I really wanted to stay here and the fact the club put the faith in me to make me captain was a massive thing in me staying.

“It clinched it for me. Playing for a London club, rugby is a way of life but I’ve got my own business down here, my life is set up for down here and Worthing is the only men’s team I’ve ever played for.”

On being made captain, Smith said: “I’m really looking forward to it and it should be a good year.

“I captained the team a few times in the last few games of last season and I’m really happy to have been made captain. It’s a really proud moment for me.”

Smith scored the decisive last-gasp try when Raiders won the National 2 play-off to gain promotion into National 1 last May and, looking ahead to next season when Worthing will look to bounce straight back up into National 1, he said: “I’m really excited about the new season and I’m looking forward to it. We’ve got a few players coming in that will help us out, do a job and, hopefully, get us back into National 1.”

Full story in this week’s paper.