The second RL tournament under Oztag rules was played at Hannestad primary school, Sarpsborg Norway on Friday, 27th October 2006. The tournament, played a month after the first ever tournament, had a total of 23 participants. Although there were some kids who weren’t present due to being ill, we managed to get 8 teams of 3 together. This meant some kids played for two teams.


This tournament was far more successful than the previous tournament, in my ways. Firstly, the kids’ playing skills have improved far greatly. They also have developed a real passion for the game. They are really focused on the rules, and they don’t like unfair play, and they always yell out when something not allowed has happened, like a forward pass or a knock on. Secondly, I was able to get some of the kids (not just those who were active participants), to assist me, by being touch judges and “try judges” (if I was unsure about whether to give a try or not, I asked the kids who were try judges. Although some of the kids forgot about their important role and went to sleep (not literally), they helped me out tremendously. Thirdly, I was able to get some kids to help me film the games. I have checked out the filmage, and it looks really good. You get a good idea of the kids’ playing levels (it is really good for unroutined players).


Onto the tournament itself. I used the same system as I did last tournament. There were 8 teams, and the fixtures were as follows:


Team 1 vs Team 2 – Winner goes to the semis

Team 3 vs Team 4 – Winner goes to the semis

Team 5 vs Team 6 – Winner goes to the semis

Team 7 vs Team 8 – Winner goes to the semis


Semi final 1: Winner of match 1 vs winner of match 2

Semi final 2: Winner of match 3 vs winner of match 4


Grand final: Winner of semi final 1 vs winner of semi final 2





Team 1 took on team 2 in the first match. Both teams looked equally strong on paper, but team 1 was too good in the end, scoring 3 tries to 1. Team 1 won 12-4 over team 2.


After the match, team 3 took on team 4. Although both teams looked equally strong on paper in terms of playing skills, team 4 had just too much pace for team 3. They were just too fast and utilised the holes they found. Team 4 scored 5 tries to 2. Team 4 won 20-8 over team 3.


After the match, team 5 took on team 6. Both teams looked equally strong on paper, but team 6 snuck home by scoring the winning try. Team 6 won 20-16 over team 5 in a thrilling match.


The final match before the semis saw team 7 take on team 8. Yet again, both teams looked equally strong, but team 7 were just too good, scoring 7 tries to 2. Team 7 won 28-8.


So, after the first round, teams 1, 4, 6 and 7 had advanced to the semis.


In the first semi final, team 1 took on team 4. It was a very close match, but team 1 just had that X factor, winning by 24-16. Team 1 had advanced to the grand final.


In the second semi final, team 6 took on team 7. This was a close match too, but team 7 snuck home with a try close to fulltime, to win by 24-20.


The grand final was to be contested by team 1 and team 7.


The grand final was a special treat, for the kids, for me and for everyone really. In my opinion, I thought team 7 just looked too good on paper, but how wrong was I going to be. Team 1 led straight from the front and caught out team 7 on many occassions. They managed to win, but not by a close margin. They thrashed team 7 by 24-12. Team 1 had won to everyone’s surprise. They were ecstatic.


At the end, all the kids sat anxiously, waiting for the prizes. I gathered them around me, and one by one, I called out the kids and gave them their prize. Every kid received a diploma, a dvd featuring the first game of the 2004 tri nations series between Great Britain and Australia, a set of simple rugby league rules I had written, a list of dvds I have that the kids can earn by playing at school and by participating in tournaments. Everyone was grateful for what they received.


All in all, it was a fantastic tournament. The kids loved the game, and I am really looking forward to hearing what they think about the real game (the dvd). Although there were some kids who objected to certain kids being touch judges due to suspicion of bias, it was a great tournament.



I am sure the next tournament will turn out to be another great tournament.