Bizarre and rare own goal in rugby: Out of joy at his team’s impending victory, a Scottish youth player accidentally sent the egg over his own crossbar at the last second. Referee Malcolm Changleng awarded because of the successful conversion (Increase) two points for the opponent – that meant the Gala Wanderers equalized 33:33 and not the 33:31 win for Hawick Youth. “I’ve been a rugby referee for 30 years – I’ve never seen anything like this,” Changleng told the BBC on Monday.
In the U-18 game in the Scottish Borders Semi Junior League, Gala scored a try shortly before the end. After one try The successful team gets the chance to shoot the rugby egg over the crossbar between the two goal posts. Such conversion is rewarded with two points – and was a great chance for Gala to equalize. But the shot was too short. Hawick’s players were already running forward in celebration, and the number nine exuberantly kicked at the ball, which then volleyed over the crossbar.
Referee Changleng allowed the goal to count. The referee said the egg had not yet touched the ground and referred to the rules. So one counts conversion even if the opponent has touched the gaming device. Speaking to the captains, Changleng explained the decision: “I said that there are more than 500 rules in the handbook, but one rule says that if the ball touches a player anywhere and goes over the bar, it is a raise.”
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While Gala cheered frantically, the Hawick players sank to the ground in frustration. But there could be one good thing about the strange scene, said Changleng – the player will learn from the situation and probably won’t do it again.
