UMU defend AUUS National Games Rugby 7s Crown

Uganda Martyrs University beat Victoria University on points difference to successfully defend their AUUS National Games Rugby 7s Crown at Namilyango College ground on Tuesday.

Both teams amassed 10 points apiece in the five-team round robin event to beat their nemesis to the gold in the one-day tournament which they won with a points difference of 45 to Victoria’s 30.

UMU opened their campaign with a 31-0 win over Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) before drawing with UCU 7-7. They then dispatched Kyambogo with a 19-5 victory before drawing with Victoria 12-12.

Arnold Jones Ocen was the star for the side with five tries in the four matches, followed by Kevin John Barasa and Jonathan Lubangakene who notched two each. Thomas Arthur Opio the vice-captain chipped in with seven conversions while Ronald Kanyanya and Emmanuel Duku managed a try each.

Opio attributed their victory to hard work and avoiding losing to their rivals Victoria who scored 13 tries in their four games and tied with UMU on 10 points each.

Joseph Kansiime, Calvin Gizamba with three tries each, Joseph Kana and Daniel Ebau with two each were some of the standouts for Victoria who settled for the silver.

It wasn’t really an easy tournament because we were only five teams and we played a round robin format. But we decided to take one game at a time. We drew our second game but we remained focused and took the gold,” Opio said.

“We had lost to Victoria and MUBS a couple of times in the league but we came determined and beat them and that’s how we have the gold. But every team has been working hard, there are a few changes in our squad because some players graduated and were not with us but we managed to come through to play and win,”

UCU walked away with the bronze, with Kyambogo and MUST finishing fourth and fifth respectively.