League: Rain no spoiler for 'awesome' Nines tournament

The inaugural Queenstown Nines rugby league tournament has been hailed a success.

Organiser Paisa Bedggood said Saturday's event attracted eight teams - the Wakatipu Giants, four clubs from Dunedin, two from Christchurch and the Tumeke Natives, a hybrid team made up of players from the United Kingdom, Auckland and Queenstown.

The tournament was won by Hornby, playing against fellow Christchurch side Riccarton.

Bedggood said the idea for the tournament stemmed from a desire to reinstate league in the Wakatipu.

''Basically, we haven't had league here for the last couple of years. The Giants have been dormant [and] I just missed the brotherhood of the Giants and missed the one thing keeping us all together.

''I just love playing rugby league and I thought `if I'm going to play league, it's got to be where I want to live'.''

Although rain fell most of Saturday, Bedggood said it did not dampen the spirits of the supporters who had come to watch, and it did not seem to bother the players.

''There was still some good running rugby league and still a crowd there.

''It was awesome.''

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

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