EASY WIN FOR RIVAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 16 April 1945, Page 2

EASY WIN FOR RIVAL

A PROMISING SET OF BACKS The Rival backs were mainly responsible for Rival's defeat of NelsonOld Boys by 33 points to 3. Much of the play had “the first of the season’’ uncertainty about it and lack of training and team work were obvious. However. the forwards of botto sides worked hard with Rival having a slight edge on their opponents. A. Gargiulo was the fittest forward on the ground. The Rival backs revealed sufficient form to indicate that they will quickly develop into quite a formidable combination. N. Avery’s play had a touch of class about it and D. Sundborn’s pace and scoring ability were a feature. However. the Nelson-Old Boys backs were weak on the day with little or no combination on attack and they were too slow in getting up on to their opponents when defensive tactics were required.

R. Harris, the full-back, saved his side frequently, and his display as the last line of defence was distinctly promising. The backs of both sides would benefit from a few training periods spent at a tackling pit. The teams were as follows: — Rival: P.'McConchie; G. Christmas, H. Richardson. D. Sundborn; B. Langrope. N. Avery; R. Elkington; R. Mayers. J. Cuthbert, T. Page, B. Tear, B Burn, L. Heath. W. Hill, A. Steer. Nelson-Old Boys: R. Harris; H. Wratt, R. Murray, H. F. Venz; M. MacLeod, N. Campen; D. Venz: A. Gargiulo, T. New, A. Weichern, E. A. Adams, D. Ward, H. McKegney, R Connolly, and E. L. Adams. Playing v; ; tli the wind the Rival forwards took the play to the corner where Elkington went over for a try. Sundborn finished off an attack with a good try in the corner and Mayers converted with a fine kick from the sideline, the ball hitting the upright and going over the bar. It was not long afterwards that Avery, with his progress blocked by opponents kicked a field goal. Just odore half-time Elkington again took advantsg.p rf the handy position in \yhich his f'W.ards had placed him. ?nrl went ove.- for his second try. Burn kicked a fine conversion from the sideline Rival were thus 17 ahead at half time. Early in the second half Murrav kicked a penaltv goal for Nelson-Old Boys. The best back movement- of the day. in which Avery and Richardson were prominent saw Sundborn, the winger, add a try to Rival’s score. Cuthbert took the final points for Rival with a try from a forward rush. Rival 23, Nelson-Old Boys 3. Mr T. J. Kirk-Burnnand was the referee.