Lady Cranes beat Spain, draw twice in warm ups
Mar 04, 2009
Lady Cranes showed they are up to the task when they outscored Spain in a combined three-practice matches ahead of the inaugural Women’s Seven Rugby World Cup that kicks off in Dubai tomorrow.
By Douglas Mazune
Uganda 14 Spain 7
Spain 7 Uganda 7
Uganda 7 Spain 7
Uganda 0 Brazil 0
Lady Cranes showed they are up to the task when they outscored Spain in a combined three-practice matches ahead of the inaugural Women’s Seven Rugby World Cup that kicks off in Dubai tomorrow.
Spain who are ranked third in Europe lost to the Ugandans 14-7 in the first game and drew 7-7 in the second and settled for another draw by the same margin in the third.
“We didn’t play as good as I had wanted but the positive side is that we can scores tries and we were high up there with our opponents,†coach David Mutaka said.
Mutaka was impressed by his key players Helen Buteme, Harriet Kayonjo, Charlotte Mudoola and Justin Bayigga who showed they could score on the big stage.
Uganda is in pool D with New Zealand, South Africa and Italy. They open the campaign against New Zealand.
Mutaka believes build up games with Brazil and Spain will boost his team’s confidence ahead of the inaugural world event in Dubai. The men’s event kicks off today.
Uganda and Brazil played to a no tries draw in light practice game on Tuesday and the Lady Cranes played Spain yesterday.
“We could not get England but I think Spain, which is highly ranked in Europe is good enough,†Mutaka said. Uganda had earlier sought a practice game with England.
Meanwhile, Cranes’ captain Buteme was widely quoted on the world rugby body, IRB website expressing Uganda’s determination to make an impression in the tournament.
“We know what to do. We know each other’s game, our strengths and weaknesses. We are working together so it is coming along really well, almost perfectly I would say.â€
Uganda 14 Spain 7
Spain 7 Uganda 7
Uganda 7 Spain 7
Uganda 0 Brazil 0
Lady Cranes showed they are up to the task when they outscored Spain in a combined three-practice matches ahead of the inaugural Women’s Seven Rugby World Cup that kicks off in Dubai tomorrow.
Spain who are ranked third in Europe lost to the Ugandans 14-7 in the first game and drew 7-7 in the second and settled for another draw by the same margin in the third.
“We didn’t play as good as I had wanted but the positive side is that we can scores tries and we were high up there with our opponents,†coach David Mutaka said.
Mutaka was impressed by his key players Helen Buteme, Harriet Kayonjo, Charlotte Mudoola and Justin Bayigga who showed they could score on the big stage.
Uganda is in pool D with New Zealand, South Africa and Italy. They open the campaign against New Zealand.
Mutaka believes build up games with Brazil and Spain will boost his team’s confidence ahead of the inaugural world event in Dubai. The men’s event kicks off today.
Uganda and Brazil played to a no tries draw in light practice game on Tuesday and the Lady Cranes played Spain yesterday.
“We could not get England but I think Spain, which is highly ranked in Europe is good enough,†Mutaka said. Uganda had earlier sought a practice game with England.
Meanwhile, Cranes’ captain Buteme was widely quoted on the world rugby body, IRB website expressing Uganda’s determination to make an impression in the tournament.
“We know what to do. We know each other’s game, our strengths and weaknesses. We are working together so it is coming along really well, almost perfectly I would say.â€