Smith signs off in style

OLDHAM RL chairman Chris Hamilton has saluted Paul Smith, who has announced his retirement.

The 35 year old dropped the curtain on his 14-season rugby league playing career with a hat-trick of tries in Oldham’s last-gasp 34-29 play-off defeat at Workington.

In one season with Roughyeds he made the left-side second-row spot his own, despite missing games through injury.

Hamilton said: “Paul came with a reputation, built over many years, as a true, honest pro, a good trainer and no slouch on the pitch.

“We wish him well wherever his retirement takes him.”

Smith was originally credited with two tries last Sunday, but in announcing that he was now hanging up his boots, he also claimed a second-half score which was given to Michael Ward.

Back-row forward Smith said: “It was definitely mine. Neil Roden’s crosskick wasn’t taken cleanly by one of their blokes and I touched it down.

“Three tries in my last game. How many people can claim that?”

Though signing off as a player he doesn’t rule out returning to the sport on the coaching side.






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