Heathens coach turns attention to Kyabazinga 7s after Gulu victory
The Heathens broke their early-season title jinx, staging a fierce second-half comeback to edge out their Kyadondo rivals, the Toyota Buffaloes, in a tightly contested men's final.
Heathens' Walter Otim breaks through the Jinja Hippos' defence to score a try during the Lawii Rwodi Rugby 7s in Gulu. PHOTO: Johnson Were
The Platinum Credit Heathens and Nile Rapids emerged victorious at the Lawii Rwodi Gulu Rugby 7s Tournament, claiming the men's and women's titles respectively at a packed Gulu University ground on Sunday.
The Heathens broke their early-season title jinx, staging a fierce second-half comeback to edge out their Kyadondo rivals, the Toyota Buffaloes, in a tightly contested men's final.
This victory marks the Heathens' first circuit triumph out of the four legs played so far in the National Sevens roadmap.
Yasin Waiswa initially gave the Buffaloes a 7–0 first-half lead courtesy of a brilliant try and subsequent conversion. However, the Heathens responded in the second half with tries from Daniel Otema and Walter Otim, complemented by a clinical conversion from Gift Lukyamuzi, to seal the thrilling comeback for the Kyadondo giants.
Heathens head coach Tolbert Onyango noted that his charges are finally finding their rhythm, with their tactical focus now shifting directly to the upcoming Kyabazinga 7s.
"The boys have been acclimatizing to the intensity of the circuit, and the more games we play, the better we get," the former national team tactician remarked.
"It was not a pretty final, but a win is a win. Our strategy for the Kyabazinga leg starts right now."
En route to the final, the Heathens dominated with a 24–5 victory over the Plascon Mongers, while the Buffaloes orchestrated a 14–7 upset against the Stanbic Black Pirates.
The event was graced by high-profile dignitaries, including Gulu City Mayor Julius Labeja Acire, Omoro County Member of Parliament Hon. Andrew Ojok, and the Patron of Uganda Rugby, Dan Kidega.
Hon. Kidega highly commended the Uganda Rugby Union for honoring traditional heritage through sport. The Gulu leg was officially dubbed the Lawii Rwodi 7s to pay cultural homage to the Lawii Rwodi (the Paramount Chief), who serves as the cultural head and leader of the traditional chiefs of the Acholi chiefdoms.
The Heathens celebrate winning the Lawii Rwodi Rugby 7s title in Gulu. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Gulu Rugby 7s Circuit results
Finals
Men
Heathens12 Buffaloes 7
Bronze medalist
Pirates 7 Mongers 14
Men Semis
Pirates 7 Buffaloes 14
Heathens 24 Mongers 5