Local rugby fans can expect big things this season if the fast and furious attitudes of the veteran teams on show at Nationals yesterday evening are repeated at domestic level.

Referee Dennis Dwyer added to the open and attractive play by allowing excellent advantage on occasions and after only five minutes OId Bermuda's Declan O'Loughlin crossed unopposed and added the conversion for the game's opening score.

Le Vieux, of New York, replied immediately when poor tackling allowed centre Mark Gallista to skip through from 25 metres out. He also converted his own try for the 7-7 tie.

Old Bermuda continued their policy of running every kickable penalty and reaped the rewards when the ball was swiftly moved along the three-quarter line for captain Keiron Peacock to score an unconverted try on the stroke of half-time.

Both teams supplied numerous replacements at the half just as Scott Correia set up arguably the best try of the match on the restart. Correia, with apparantly no space to move, provided a deft chip ahead which he gathered himself before stepping past two would-be defenders to put Mark Carter in unopposed.

Not to be outdone, the Americans replied in typical fashion as they moved the ball through several pairs of hands for Richie Ali to go over in the corner.

Back came the local Old Boys and Phil Heaney picked up a stray pass and put Correia over for a deserved score. Pat McHugh converted.

By now Davies was beginning to run riot from the set-piece plays and one cheeky break allowed Tim White in for the try. Billy McNiven, not renowned for his kicking prowess, converted to the loudest cheer of the evening.

The final whistle sounded just as Le Vieux's Gary Wright crossed following excellent American inter-play to score, leaving Old Bermuda creditable 29-17 victors over their touring opponents.

The game will be remembered for the positive attitudes of both teams and the particular skills of Davies and Correia. Local teams will be warned not to take their `aging' rivals for granted when they meet tomorrow at the Sandys Boat Club Tournament which is to be held at HMS Malabar.