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Scottish rugby player honored with match named after him
Arthur Smith, hailing from Castle Douglas, achieved a balance between his rugby pursuits and accomplishments in both academia and business.
More than 50 years after his passing, a Scottish rugby legend continues to support pupils from his former school in their pursuit of higher education.
Arthur Smith's academic achievements were notable, with studies in mathematics at Glasgow and Cambridge universities, but his rugby prowess is what has endured in the public memory.
His impressive debut with the Scotland national team was so memorable that it became known as "Arthur Smith's match", a testament to his significant contribution to the game.
Although Smith succumbed to cancer in 1975 at the age of 42, his legacy lives on, with students at Kirkcudbright Academy still benefiting from a fund established in his name.
According to records from the National Records of Scotland, Smith was born on 23 January 1933 at Upper Torrs Farm near Castle Douglas.
At 20, while studying mathematics at Glasgow, Smith became Scotland's national long jump champion, achieving a distance of 6.17m (20 ft 3in).
After graduating with a first-class degree, Smith pursued a PhD in applied physics at Cambridge between 1954 and 1957.
It was during his time at Cambridge that Smith developed a passion for rugby, participating in Varsity matches against Oxford University.
Smith's physical attributes, including his height and speed, made him a valuable asset to several rugby clubs, including London Scottish, Barbarians, Edinburgh Wanderers, and Ebbw Vale in South Wales.
Smith played a crucial role in ending Scotland's 17-match losing streak during his international debut.
On 5 February 1955, Scotland defeated Wales 35-10 at Murrayfield, with Smith scoring a try and earning a place in the annals of Scottish rugby history.
The significance of Smith's performance that day led to the match being dubbed "Arthur Smith's Match", as noted by the National Records of Scotland.
Smith's son, Iain, now 60 and living in Edinburgh, recalls sitting on his father's knee and listening to tales of the match.
Iain remembers his father embellishing the story, claiming to have beaten numerous players, but he enjoyed the exaggerated account nonetheless.
After watching the Pathé newsreel footage of the match, Iain noted that his father's try was captured in a brief sequence, with the camera cutting away to the crowd before returning to show Smith scoring.
The try marked the beginning of Smith's 33-cap career with the national team, during which he was selected for every international match he was available to play until his retirement in 1962.
Smith also captained Scotland on multiple occasions and participated in two British Lions tours, in 1955 and 1962, when he was appointed team captain.
At the time, Smith was the first Scottish captain of the British Lions since David MacMyn in 1927.
In addition to his sporting achievements, Smith built a successful career in finance, working with several brokerage firms.
At the time of his death, Smith was an executive with the Edinburgh Fund Managers.
Smith had lived in various locations, including Wales and Newcastle, before settling in Edinburgh with his wife, Judith, in 1960.
According to Iain, his father was motivated to earn a higher income to support their family.
Iain described his father as a pioneer in using statistical analysis to inform investment decisions, a concept that may seem obvious today but was innovative at the time.
Smith's educational foundation was laid at Kirkcudbright Academy, and pupils there continue to benefit from a fund established in his name.
The Arthur Smith Memorial Fund provides grants of up to £3,000 to support students during their tertiary education.
Anthony Tuffery, head teacher at Kirkcudbright Academy, noted that applicants are informed about the life and achievements of the man behind the fund.
While the fund has helped numerous pupils over the years, efforts are being made to encourage more students to apply, as the current process may be deterring some from doing so.
Iain explained that the fund was initially established by his parents' friends after his father's death to support him, his sisters, and their mother.
The fund has since been expanded to benefit pupils at the academy, and Iain is proud to see his father's legacy continue to make a positive impact.
When asked if he ever tires of being known as Arthur's son, Iain laughs it off, saying it has never been a burden and has even led to pleasant conversations and social interactions.
Iain, along with his sisters, takes pride in their father's enduring legacy, which continues to inspire and support students at the school where his own journey to excellence began.
The family is heartened to see the fund continue to make a difference in the lives of young people, a testament to Arthur Smith's lasting impact.
As the years pass, Iain and his sisters remain committed to preserving their father's memory and ensuring that his legacy continues to benefit future generations.
News
UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances
The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.
In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.
The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.
Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.
The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.
The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.
Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.
With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.
In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.
Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.
Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.
The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.
Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.
Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.
Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.
After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.
Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.
In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.
For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.
In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.
News
GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.
For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.
Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.
News
Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling
A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.
The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.
Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.
Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.
Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.
Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.
The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.
The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.
The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.
The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.
The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.
Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.
Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.
Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.
Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.
The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.
Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.
The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.
Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.
Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.
George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.
He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.
However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.
The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.
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