Rugby: Uganda beats Kenya to claim Elgon Cup

Elgon Cup return leg


Venue: Legends Rugby grounds

Final score: Uganda 30 - 25 Kenya (Aggregate: 47 - 45)

Man of the match: Gerald Ssewankambo

Ladies: Uganda 06 - 07 Kenya (Aggregate: 11 - 12)



Uganda's Rugby Cranes followed up a first leg defeat with victory over Kenya on home turf in the return leg to claim the Elgon Cup on Saturday.

Earlier, Rugby Cranes coach Robert Sseguya named his squad with winger Justin Kimono (suspension) and centre Oscar Kalyango missing out. But he made it clear that the duo's absence would not affect the team's performance, saying their replacements were “equally good”.

He was right, as he saw his men defeat a solid Kenyan opposition that had come to Kampala hoping to finish up what they had started back home.

Back in Nairobi, the Rugby Cranes stumbled to a 17-20 defeat in the first leg, presenting Coach Sseguya's men with the task of overturning the deficit on home ground in order to claim the Elgon Cup.

Perhaps the downpour that descended upon Kampala earlier on Saturday was a sign of the good things to come . . . from the Ugandans' point of view, that is. And it sure turned out a blessing as the Rugby Cranes eventually beat their Kenyan opponents in an enthralling encounter that had both sides backed by highly spirited fans.

Kenya bossed the first half, taking an 18-6 lead into the break. But Uganda swiftly picked up their pieces to come back into the game and eventually cling on to their eventual 30-25 lead and win.

Yet for Kenya, it wasn't all lost, as they had seen their ladies side edge out Uganda's Lady Rugby Cranes in the earlier game by one point.

The Kenyan Lionesses won over the two legs with an aggregate score of 12-11 after leveling 5-5 in the first leg in Nairobi.


New Vision photographer Mpalanyi Ssentongo unwraps the action as it happened . . .
 

Rugby Cranes captain Brian Odongo attempts to break free from a grasp by a Kenyan opponent

 

 

This was as physical as it could get

 

 

Chris Lubanga prepares to take a penalty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

true

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Uhuru being hurled high into the air for a line out

 

 

true

 

 

 

 

Here, Kevin Makmot spins a pass to a teammate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the final score . . .
 

 

 

After a tough encounter on the pitch, it was time for the Rugby Cranes to celebrate





Earlier, it was a different yet similar affair altogether . . .