Rugby had a poor outing in 2010 season
Dec 19, 2010
THE 2010 season may already have been forgotten by the rugby fraternity before even the first shot of fire-works rips through the sky exorcising the outgoing year and ushering in 2011.
RUGBY: 2010 YEAR REVIEW
By Douglas Mazune and Johnson Were
THE 2010 season may already have been forgotten by the rugby fraternity before even the first shot of fire-works rips through the sky exorcising the outgoing year and ushering in 2011.
In comparison to 2009 that saw dominant Heathens sweep everything there was to win—the Uganda Cup, League, Sevens circuit and Makerere 10s, none of the teams has the right to go chest-thumping.
Heathens’ instead relinquished all titles save the league that they retained with relative ease. Heathens’ woes were not helped by events off pitch as their home ground---Kyadondo Club was the scene of an attack on July 11 attack that left over 70 soccer fans dead and scores injured.
While Heathens lost rivals were happy to show their fans and sponsors silverware having had a trophy-less 2009.
The Uganda Cup
Kobs won the Uganda Cup while Makerere Impis showed scant respect for the formbook to claim the Seven Circuit.
Despite losing Hima Cement sponsorship the Makerere University student surpassed expectations to win the Sevens series that had one of the rounds held at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Impis under the field command of Michael Tamale, Romano Ogwal, Brian Mwangosia, Juma Hilary, and Malon Ondiege exposed the traditional rugby giants by winning the two circuits of the national champs and emerging overall champions.
Kenyan side Mwamba reclaimed the Makerere 10s title as hitherto dominant Heathens were humbled just after a single season of superstardom.
Pirates and Entebbe Mongers remained decent side but again fell short of snatching silverware to justify why giants sides dread their fixtures.
For the fourth consecutive year, eight teams competed for the national title and a couple of promising youngsters emerged in the various competitions but with none of the established players standing out.
Veteran Robert Seguya showed he was still needed by Heathens and the Cranes as he exhibited great form that endeared him to the fans. Rugby manager Yayiro Kasasa concurs there was no superb individual display.
“It was a poor season. I didn’t see any player that impressed me. We have a lot to put together next year,†Kasasa admitted.
Pirates’ Timothy Ddumba, Kobs’ Lawrence Wakabi, Justin Kimono and Impis’ Romano Ogwal did well but could have performed better.
Heathens retained all players but holding onto multiple titles was a tall order for the Kyadondo side.
Pundits argue that Heathens lacked the technical acumen to compete on several fronts unlike Kobs, who held on to the Uganda Cup and League in the yesteryears.
Rhinos and Nile showed the will to improve but lacked the capacity to thrust from the bottom side of the table. Buffaloes made a remarkable improvement but will have to work harder to break into the top four.
The shield
The shield league proved more competitive than the senior contest with Saracens emerging champions. The move to have it played country wide with upcountry clubs like Lira Bulls, Mbale and Gulu manifested growth in the sport.
International scene
To put it mildly, Ugandan teams had a dead year. Hardly even threatening to claim any title as the Kenyans had a field day in Kampala and Nairobi in the Elgon Cup. New coach Ham Onsandu is surely yet to deliver results.
2011 expectations
Watch out for Kobs who seem to have regained their winning mentality, thanks to experience gained by the youngsters and the return of senior players.
Mongers are ripe to lift silverware while Pirates simply have to contend with a bit of luck to complete what is already a championship winning team.
By Douglas Mazune and Johnson Were
THE 2010 season may already have been forgotten by the rugby fraternity before even the first shot of fire-works rips through the sky exorcising the outgoing year and ushering in 2011.
In comparison to 2009 that saw dominant Heathens sweep everything there was to win—the Uganda Cup, League, Sevens circuit and Makerere 10s, none of the teams has the right to go chest-thumping.
Heathens’ instead relinquished all titles save the league that they retained with relative ease. Heathens’ woes were not helped by events off pitch as their home ground---Kyadondo Club was the scene of an attack on July 11 attack that left over 70 soccer fans dead and scores injured.
While Heathens lost rivals were happy to show their fans and sponsors silverware having had a trophy-less 2009.
The Uganda Cup
Kobs won the Uganda Cup while Makerere Impis showed scant respect for the formbook to claim the Seven Circuit.
Despite losing Hima Cement sponsorship the Makerere University student surpassed expectations to win the Sevens series that had one of the rounds held at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Impis under the field command of Michael Tamale, Romano Ogwal, Brian Mwangosia, Juma Hilary, and Malon Ondiege exposed the traditional rugby giants by winning the two circuits of the national champs and emerging overall champions.
Kenyan side Mwamba reclaimed the Makerere 10s title as hitherto dominant Heathens were humbled just after a single season of superstardom.
Pirates and Entebbe Mongers remained decent side but again fell short of snatching silverware to justify why giants sides dread their fixtures.
For the fourth consecutive year, eight teams competed for the national title and a couple of promising youngsters emerged in the various competitions but with none of the established players standing out.
Veteran Robert Seguya showed he was still needed by Heathens and the Cranes as he exhibited great form that endeared him to the fans. Rugby manager Yayiro Kasasa concurs there was no superb individual display.
“It was a poor season. I didn’t see any player that impressed me. We have a lot to put together next year,†Kasasa admitted.
Pirates’ Timothy Ddumba, Kobs’ Lawrence Wakabi, Justin Kimono and Impis’ Romano Ogwal did well but could have performed better.
Heathens retained all players but holding onto multiple titles was a tall order for the Kyadondo side.
Pundits argue that Heathens lacked the technical acumen to compete on several fronts unlike Kobs, who held on to the Uganda Cup and League in the yesteryears.
Rhinos and Nile showed the will to improve but lacked the capacity to thrust from the bottom side of the table. Buffaloes made a remarkable improvement but will have to work harder to break into the top four.
The shield
The shield league proved more competitive than the senior contest with Saracens emerging champions. The move to have it played country wide with upcountry clubs like Lira Bulls, Mbale and Gulu manifested growth in the sport.
International scene
To put it mildly, Ugandan teams had a dead year. Hardly even threatening to claim any title as the Kenyans had a field day in Kampala and Nairobi in the Elgon Cup. New coach Ham Onsandu is surely yet to deliver results.
2011 expectations
Watch out for Kobs who seem to have regained their winning mentality, thanks to experience gained by the youngsters and the return of senior players.
Mongers are ripe to lift silverware while Pirates simply have to contend with a bit of luck to complete what is already a championship winning team.