So yeah, one possible fix for the future is one person; the host of that tourney (NinPie, Rol, myself etc.) enters the tourney when it begins, posts here and then everyone goes to their friends list and jumps in as well. That way everyone should be in the same group and it won't lead to splintered races like this one (it's what I tried be joining NinPie but he was in a small group also).
Does this sound reasonable to everyone?