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http://www.intrl.sport/news/triton-warszawa-win-inaugural-poland-rugby-league-grand-final/
Debutants Triton Warszawa are the first-ever Polish Rugby League champions, after defeating the country’s oldest and founding club Magpie Łódź, 20-18 in a dramatic Grand Final.

The match, played behind closed doors in mining town Bełchatów in central Poland because of Covid-19 restrictions, was the culmination of the first domestic season in the country involving four clubs; Wataha Piotrkow and Skierniewice Razorbacks the others.

PR XIII president Łukasz Łucka, commented: “It was a very exciting season for all of us in Polska Rugby XIII, and the Grand Final proved the progress we're making both on and off the pitch. I'd like to thank all the players, coaches, match officials, and other participants that helped us make it happen. The development continues and we’re all ready to set ourselves the next ambitious goals for the coming years.”

In heavy rain, Tritons - who finished top of the league at the end of the regular season - adapted best to the conditions, Mariusz Ilczuk and a brace from Wojtek Lukasiewicz scoring long range tries, giving them a 14-6 half time lead.

With the floodlights on and adding to the sense of occasion, Magpies hit the front through tries from Lukasz Siewiera and Mateusz Kowalewski and the third of Kowalewski’s goals on the hour. In a desperate last 20 minutes the sides fought tirelessly; Bartek Lesiuk crossing in the final minute for Tritons to level.

Karol Romanski kicked the winning goal from in front of the posts as the final whistle sounded, leading to wild celebrations among the Triton players and staff.

The championships medals they received were funded by an anonymous donor to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw.

Rugby League European Federation Central & Eastern Europe regional director, Jovan Vujosevic, said: “The RLEF is really proud that Polska XIII has completed its first domestic competition and take this opportunity to congratulate all those involved. This is a big step forward for Poland and we hope that they will soon apply for affiliate membership. With a large diaspora in the UK and Australia, Poland has great potential.”

That has been emphasised with the PR XIII sending its congratulations to Leeds Rhinos prop Mikolaj Oledzki, who is set to become the first Polish rugby player to grace Wembley in this weekend’s Coral Challenge Cup final.

Łucka noted: “There are a lot of people in Poland looking up at him. He's a real role model, not only for the youngsters who are just starting out in the sport of rugby league here but also to the most experienced players, who are much older than him. His performance and professionalism make us all proud and we wish all the best to him, not only on the final day but every time he plays.”

Gdansk-born Oledzki, who has family in Warsaw, has also received congratulations from the Polish Embassy in the UK and said: “Rugby league is slowly emerging in Poland and it would be great if it could expand. I’m grateful to have the support from everyone.”

TRITON WARSZAWA 20

Tries: Mariusz Ilczuk, Wojtek Lukasiewicz, 2, Bartek Lesiuk

Goals: Karol Romanski 2

MAGPIE ŁÓDŹ 18

Tries: Mateusz Klosinski, Lukasz Siewiera, Mateusz Kowalewski

Goals: Mateusz Kowalewski 3

Any players, volunteers or officials with Polish heritage wishing to get involved in supporting the development of rugby league in the country, please get in touch with;

Poland - Łukasz Łucka - lukaszlucka@gmail.com

UK and Ireland - James szymik - Jamesszymik@hotmail.com

Australia - Alex Kowalski - alk_kowalski@hotmail.com
 
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https://www.totalrl.com/update-on-m...gn=update-on-mixed-picture-for-eastern-europe

Whilst there has been some notable activity in Eastern Europe, not least in Ukraine, Serbia and this weekend scheduled for Albania, increased coronavirus concerns have seen competition postponed in the Czech Republic and delayed in Russia.

The Ukraine RL Federation held a highly successful Grand Finals day behind closed doors in Lviv, for which Legion XIII travelled 1,000 km to retain their title. The defending champions were pushed all the way by Lviv Tigers, running out 46-20 winners after trailing at the break.

In the match for third place in the six-team division, Kyiv Rhinos beat Wests Giants 62-4. New sides Terripol Knights finished fifth after the regular season matches and Mykolaiv Korabel sixth.

In Serbia, former national head coach John Risman returned to Belgrade to be made honorary president of the SRLF. He also presented the Victory Cup and medals, with Partisan 1953 winning a four team 9s tournament. Originally played for between 1954 and ’64 – and won by Partizan in the first two of those foundation years, and again in 1961 – the trophy has been resurrected to be competed for annually.

Initial plans were to play the tournament on 9 May, to commemorate the end of the Second World War, but Covid-19 meant delaying it to 20 October, the date of the liberation of Belgrade.

Vladan Kikanovic, Serbian Rugby League Federation general secretary commented: “This was great day for Serbian RL, with support of Belgrade Rugby League we made history again. We are all proud and especially that we named John Risman as honorary president of Serbian RL. John left a great legacy and we all respect him a lot.”

From next season, plans are for the Victory Cup to move back to its original date and the Belgrade Liberation Cup instituted to also be played for annually, in October, as a 9s competition.

This weekend, the first game in 2020 in Albania will be played, a 9s encounter between KR Regbise Tirana and KR Iliret, at Tirana United. Arnaldo Telo, president of the Albanian Rugby League Association noted: “I would like to give special credit to our sponsors and partners who are supporting this match. It gives us further confidence that we will have the support needed for our plans for Tirana to join the Greek domestic competition in 2021.”

The Russian Cup was due to commence this weekend but has been put on hold. A statement issued by the Association of Russian Clubs confirmed, ‘Unfortunately due to the rising levels of Covid-19 cases across Russia, the ARLC board have taken the unfortunate yet necessary measure to cancel The Cup of Russia involving 16 clubs across the country.

‘The current trend of daily increases in confirmed Covid-19 cases and government requirements to fight the spread of the virus have made it impossible for the competition to go ahead. The ARLC will continue to react to the ever changing situation across the regions of Russia and are hopeful that some friendly fixtures will be held between clubs prior to the New Year once the situation improves and restrictions are lifted.’
 
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Albanian+poster.jpg
 

Jim from Oz

Juniors
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V’Landys Talks about protecting the integrity of the NRL. What about protecting international rugby league from complete oblivion!
 

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