Proud dad watches Victor cut down Greeks
VICTOR Radley’s father Nigel arrived in England only days ago but it was well worth the long flight from Sydney as his first chance to see his son play for the land of his birth turned into a rout.
England raced in 17 tries against Greece in their final pool game at the World Cup as all the talk about lopsided scorelines reached a crescendo in Sheffield, the home side winning 94-4.
Newcastle winger Dom Young helped himself to four tries and South Sydney prop Tom Burgess scored a double as England handed out a good, old-fashioned hiding to their outclassed opponents.
They did much of the damage with Radley watching from the sidelines after he left the field in the first half with an arm injury.
Even that couldn’t dampen the mood as Nigel Radley watched his son pull on English colours for the first time, a stone’s throw from where he grew up,
Radley’s old man was born in Sheffield but was raised in nearby Hoyland.
Nigel wasn’t the only relative in the crowd. Victor reckons he had about 50 people from all over the world coming to the game. Nigel spoke to BBC at halftime.
“There is a load up there in the stands – all my mates,” Nigel said.
“There is family down here. It is a good day. It is fantastic. He got a lot of support. I think he felt comfortable with the decision.”
Nigel still speaks with a Yorkshire accent and is fast becoming a believer as England head into the knockout round of the tournament in fine form.
“I think they are playing well and they are going to give it a good shake,” Nigel Radley said.