Lancelot Smith
Lancelot Machattie (Mac) Smith
1885 - 1956
Rugby International
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Lancelot Machattie Smith was born at Bathurst in 1885 and from early days he became known as 'Mac' Smith, a name that he was known by throughout his life. He represented the All Saints First XV at the age of 13, then continued his education at St Edwards in Oxford, England, where he played in the first XV in 1901 and won an honours Cap.
Returning to Australia he represented the Kings School in 1902 and 1903 and in the season of 1903 he scored a total of 188 points, which remains a school record. During the years at Kings he formed a brilliant three quarter combination with his cousin Bede Smith, with Bede the blockbuster and Mac the speedster.
Both players toured with the first Australian side to visit New Zealand, under the leadership of another Orange player, Stan Wickham, and they played alongside each other in the only test of the tour in atrocious conditions in Dunedin.
'Mac' represented New South Wales on eleven occasions but managed only the one Test, with a brilliant career cut short by an injury that today would only require minor surgery. He was chosen for the first Wallaby tour in 1908 but had to withdraw with a cartilage problem in the final trial match and never played again. This team was to go on to win the Gold Medal at the London Olympics of 1908.
Lance 'Mac' Smith was well known as a breeder of top quality merino sheep and a great lover of horse racing. He was on the committee of the Orange Jockey Club. He also had a great love of children and this found an outlet in his active participation in the scout movement.
Lance 'Mac' Smith of Boree Cabonne died at a private hospital in Orange in March 1956 at the age of 71.
