- Unusual rugby own goal.
- Tie game after celebration.
- Lesser-known rugby rule applied.
In the Scottish Borders, a peculiar own goal occurred during a rugby match.
In the game’s last seconds, a player accidentally propelled the ball over the crossbar while prematurely celebrating victory.
This action resulted in Hawick Youth surrendering their two-point lead to Gala Wanderers in the under-18s match, culminating in a tie.
Referee Malcolm Changleng reported that, in thirty years of observing rugby, he had never witnessed a similar incident.
More than five million people have viewed a video of this unusual event on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mr. Changleng revealed that Gala’s try had put Hawick ahead in the Borders Semi-Junior League match on Saturday.
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This meant that the host team had one final opportunity to equalize the game with a conversion attempt.
However, the kick fell short, and as Hawick rushed to celebrate their victory, their scrum-half unintentionally knocked the ball over the goal post.
Gala was granted the conversion before the referee blew the final whistle, concluding the game with a score of 33-33.
Mr. Changleng remarked, “It was an extremely unusual circumstance.
“I have been a rugby referee for over 30 years and have witnessed a great deal of rugby, but I have never seen this.”
He noted that it occurred during the “last play of the game.”
The referee added: “Rory from Gala kicked the ball, and it went bouncing through the air, but it did not quite reach the post.
“As Hawick sprinted out to celebrate a victory in the local derby, their number nine kicked the ball, which had not yet touched the ground, and it sailed over the goal post.”
Technically, it was an own goal.
Although the Hawick scrum-half accidentally kicked the ball over the goalpost, the conversion still counted due to a lesser-known rugby rule.
This rule specifies that the goal stands if the opposing team touches the ball during a successful conversion kick.
Mr. Changseng said, “I called a timeout and brought the captains and coach over.”
It counts as a conversion if the ball touches any player and crosses the goal line.
“You can’t score an own try because if you carry the ball over the line and touch it down, then the opposition receives an attacking scrum.
However, if you kick the ball, and it goes over your own goal post, that is technically an own goal.
The referee reported that as he sounded the final whistle, the maroon of Gala cheered, while the green of Hawick slumped to the ground.
Mr. Changleng added, “They had been in the lead for the majority of the game, and both teams scored five tries, so I believe they thought they had won.
Their scrum-half will gain experience.
