Strykers win Lacrosse title in dramatic fashion

By Julius Senyimba

Lacrosse League results

Panthers 4    Oneonta 8

Warriaz 8   Kings 7

STRYKERS Lacrosse Club won the national league title for the first time and walked away with a shs 1m cash prize after Panthers’ 4-8 defeat to Oneonta on Saturday, in the final game of the season. 

Hatricks from Patrick Oryana, Sam Ochan and a Ryan Mugisha brace washed away Panthers’ hopes of becoming champions at MUBS sports ground, Nakawa. Panthers had a target of winning with a three goals margin were left stunned after the final whistle. 

The loss confirmed Strykers as champions; finishing on 18points. Aimee Dixon, the international fields and growth director of Lacrosse was in attendance. 

“The progress of the game in Uganda is improbable, it is like wildfire and I expect big things from Uganda on the international level,” noted Aimee after crowning the champions. Uganda will feature in the world cup in 2014. 

It is fitting that the fast growing game saw possibly the most dramatic climax in its relatively short history. Strykers captain Brian Tukire and his teammates watched on nervously from the sidelines as the game unfolded. 

“It has been God’s mercy, us working hard and believing in the impossible. We thought it was over when we lost our last game to Warriaz but we are the champions,” an ecstatic Tukire said after receiving the trophy and the prize on behalf of the club.   

It was for the second year running that the title was decided in such dramatic fashion on the final day of the season. 

Warriaz who had led the table for the entire season lost the 2012 championship to Oneonta on the final day as the latter walloped Kings 5-0.

Table standings

                        Points

Strykers             18

Panthers           15

Oneonta            13

Warriaz              13

Kings                  0