Rwenzori get flying kick-off

By Johnson Were

Match Day 1 BRSS results
Rhinos                46  Victoria           9
Cheetahs           11   Sharks           7
Rwenzori            43   Buffaloes      31
Coastal Bulls     6     Lions            45

It was mixed fortunes for Uganda’s franchise teams as this year’s edition of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series kicked off on Saturday.

In Kampala, flanker Steven Ogwete inspired Rwenzori to a 43-31 victory over visiting Mumias Buffaloes from Kenya at the Legends Kampala Rugby Club with a hat-trick of tries to give the side a good start and hope of qualifying from the group stage. Justin Kimono, Marvin Odong and Timothy Kabonero also added a try each for the Dimension Data sponsored side.

However, another hat-trick of penalties by Phillip Wokorach fell too short for KCB Victoria as they went down 46-9 on a soggy pitch away to Nairobi Rhinos.

Coach Herbert Wafula conceded defeat saying that defending champions Rhinos were a better side but the game helped him identify areas that need improvement.

After the game at Kampala Club, Ogwete attributed his performance to hard work that he says has helped him reclaim his fitness.

“I have been training and working hard to regain my form. The desire to belong to a winning team motivates me to play hard in any game,” Ogwete stated.

Half time ended 33-10 but the team lost focus in the second half conceding tries as the opponents narrowed the gap to a 43-31 final score.

The competition continues on Saturday with KCB Victoria taking on Buffaloes in Mumias, while Rwenzori hosts Rhinos in a mouth-watering tie.

The Uganda franchise teams are sponsored by Hima Cement, Dimension Data, KCB, UAP and AON Insurance, Health service providers-IAA, Nile Special and Citi Bank.