Kadikoy Bulls’ scrum half, Oguzhan Demir made history – scoring the opening try with a superb 40 metre break and converting – to give his team an exciting 6 point lead at the FC Radnički stadium in Belgrade, when his touring Turkish side played their debut match following the inclusion of Turkey into the rugby league family.
It was hosts Novi Beograd however (who had reached the SRL Cup semi final this season) with their final score of 40, including four tries from full-back Aleksandar Cvetković, who went on to triumph 40-6.
“This quick, historic tour is just one small step in establishing rugby league in Turkey,” said RLEF Central and East Europe Regional Director, Jovan Vujošević. “We have a lot work to do, but we have seen how much potential the Turkish players have and I am sure the future for Rugby League there is bright.”
Led by their French coach Julian Treu, the Bulls sent a 27-man party of players and officials to Serbia and had a busy three days in the capital, additionally taking in coaching and match official training courses, and the opportunity to watch Red Star defeat Dorcol, to win the Serbian Cup final, their first in the competition.
