NORTH Brussels Gorillas scored an overtime try to take out a dramatic and at times controversial Rotterdam Nines tournament at the Sparta Rugby Club.
The scores between the Belgian side and England’s Eastern Rhinos were 14-14 at end of regulation time in the final on Saturday, with a runaway try securing a famous win.
But earlier rounds had been marred by a couple of brawls which meant feelings were running high heading into the decider with players from other teams volunteering to fill in for the short-handed Rhinos.
ROTTERDAM PITBULLS 16 AMSTERDAM COBRAS 14
This was considered an upset win by the Pitbulls. Amsterdam took an early lead but the home side held on for a narrow success. Pitbulls would continue to be a surprise packet throughout the day.
TSV KAHLSHOFEN 26 HARDERWIJK DOLPHINS 8
Likewise, the German side dug deep throughout the afternoon. Kahlshofen led 10-0 at halftime, Harderwijk dropped the ball over the line twice. Great effort from a country where rugby league activity is not huge.
NORTH BRUSSELS GORILLAS 10 KRUPKA DRAGONS 8
First appearance for the day by the Belgians and the Czechs. A tight struggle was 4-4 at halftime and the tension continued throughout the second half. All teams get three chances to stay in he championship.
EASTERN RHINOS 16 DORCOL SPIDERS 8
The highest quality match thus far, between team from two of the most advanced rugby league countries in Europe. Tala Petelo of the Rhinos is the best player on the field and it’s 4-4 at halftime.
AMSTERDAM COBRAS 18 HARDERWIJK DOLPHINS 12
Eight-all at halftime between these Dutch rivals. Once more the Dolphins were their own worst enemies, letting a kick bounce near the end and the Cobra’s striking to score the winner.
KRUPKA DRAGONS 16 DORCAL SPIDERS 12 in golden point
Terrible luck for Dragons player Mirek Hadrova who suffered a compound fracture of the leg, holding up play for 20 minutes while an ambulance responded. It was 8-4 to Krupka at halftime, a scuffle followed the break and 12-12 at fulltime. Playing with a man who came off the injured list to fill in, the Czech side scored after a penalty.
ROTTERDAM PITBULLS 12 TSV KAHLSHOFEN 10
Two of the surprise packets of the day meet and Rotterdam continues on its winning way despite a tough game from the Germans. Plenty of support at Sparta Rugby Club for the Pitbulls – it’s their home ground this year.
EASTERN RHINOS 16 NORTH BRUSSELS RHINOS 12
This is the game that set up the final – and not entirely in a good way. There were brawls and spite throughout. One Rhinos player looks like the team’s mascot with a broken nose and there are allegations the Belgians deliberately tried to unsettle their opponents.
DORCOL SPIDERS 16 AMSTERDAM COBRAS 12
The Spiders lead 10-4 at halftime after taking the lead with a try the Cobras thought to be a double movement. It ends up being the difference after a lively second half and the Cobras are out of the tournament.
🎥 Interview: TSV Kahlshofen 🇩🇪 player Benji Bose speaks to us after the 30-14 win against Krupka Dragons 🇨🇿 #9Stsvkru #rugbyleague #getonboard #rotterdamnines pic.twitter.com/ZUpIyf6Fb8
— Rugby League Nines (@RugbyLeague9s) April 14, 2018
KRUPKA DRAGONS 22 HARDERWIJK DOLPHINS 4
The Dolphins can’t blame bad luck for this one as they are comprehensively outplayed by the men from Prague. But that was in the second half; it was only 8-4 at halftime in what was described as an “epic” contest.
NORTH BRUSSELS GORILLAS 18 DORCOL SPIDERS 0
The Belgians focus on playing rugby league rather than niggling and they are rewarded by a comprehensive victory over a handy side. Plenty of discipline and the Gorillas start to believe they can take out the whole shooting match.
TSV KAHLSHOFEN 30 KRUPKA DRAGONS 14
It’s 8-6 to the Germans at halftime and both sides look tired from an arduous schedule. In the end, the Czechs have run out of troops and wilt in the second half. Their tournament is over.
EASTERN RHINOS 30 ROTTERDAM PITBULLS 4
The English side has had a decent break and finds its second wind, easily accounting for the hosts. It’s been a good campaign for the Pitbulls but it’s over now as the Rhinos march into the final against North Brussels or TSV Kahlshofen.
Check out this great @GorillasXIII try in the #9Sfinal against @EasternRhinos at @rugbyclubsparta on Saturday! Fred Astaire there in the Gorillas jersey! pic.twitter.com/MpAXvYqs9a
— Rugby League Nines (@RugbyLeague9s) April 18, 2018
NORTH BRUSSELS GORILLAS 10 TSV KAHLSHOFEN 6
The halftime score is the fulltime score in a fierce contest. No fights but lots of aggro in a sudden death contest in which the Gorillas fullback excels. The Belgians are into the final.
Final: NORTH BRUSSELS GORILLAS 18 EASTERN RHINOS 14 in golden point time
Rotterdam forfeited a game, putting us back on schedule after the earlier injury made us late by more than half an hour. The Rhinos have only seven fit players and borrow from other teams. A Brussels player is sent to the sin bin but it’s still 10-10 at the break. In a dramatic second half, two unconverted tries are registered but it comes down to a breakaway try in golden point time to decide the title.
Congratulations to North Brussels Gorillas, 2018 @NL_Rugby_League Rotterdam Nines Champions! #getonboard pic.twitter.com/o0BUKtJQRY
— Rugby League Nines (@RugbyLeague9s) April 14, 2018
