Lady Rugby Cranes eye Reunion sevens title

By Usher Komugisha

The Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes head coach Anthony Kinene has revealed that the team’s main objective is to finish in the number one position at this year’s Reunion sevens tournament hosted on the islands on June 30.

The Ugandan outfit which finished third at last year’s event believes it can dominate the annual tournament that has attracted seven other teams including the hosts, Madagascar, French Navy, France U-20, Mayotte islands, University of Pretoria (Tukkies) and New Caledonia.

According to Kinene, the team had its first training session on the islands yesterday and will play friendly games against the France U-20 and the Tukkies-a very well established club in South Africa today.

“The ladies’ skill level is very high and the conditioning is quite okay. Having played together for a long time, they know each other too well and am sure that will work to our advantage,” explained Kinene while talking to New Vision Online in an interview last week.

Kinene who named utility player Charlotte Mudoola as captain for the third time running entirely depended on athleticism and physicality to select his side dropping Aaliyah Adania and Matilda Tino a week ago.

Experienced Mudoola, Helen Buteme and fly-half Harriet Kayonjo bring more confidence to this youthful side that also has teenage wingers in the 2011 USPA and URU female rugby player of the year Asha Nakityo and Regina Athieno.

With the French Navy, France U-20, New Caledonia, Mayotte islands and the hosts Reunion islands presenting teams that are bigger in size, Kinene plans to open up the ball away from contact. “We are not so conditioned for contact right now,” explained Kinene.

The Lady Cranes who endured a 12-hour bus ride from Kampala to Nairobi last Saturday and boarded Air Mauritius on Sunday also spent a night in Mauritius before getting to the Reunion islands tired and exhausted.

“This is a way of bonding for us as a team and we shall use it to our advantage,” insisted Kinene.

Team List: Winnie Atyang, Brenda Kayiyi, Beatrice Atim, Prossy Nakakande, Charlotte Mudoola, Helen Buteme, Asha Nakityo, Regina Athieno, Clare Anena, Harriet Kayonjo