RUGBY: Ugandan sides rocked by injuries

By Johnson Were 

Rwenzori  25 Kengewa 14

UAP Papa  53 Kiboko  0

Nyumbu 70 Victoria 15

Top Fry Ndovu  67 Mamba  3 

UGANDAN franchises, Rwenzori and Victoria were left battered and bruised after the opening weekend of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series tournament on Saturday.

In Pool B Uganda’s Rwenzori defeated Kenya’s Kengewa 25-14 in a tight match at Legends Rugby Grounds while Uganda’s Victoria suffered a huge 70-15 defeat by Kenya side Nyumbu.

 At Legends Rugby Club, 2012 Uganda Rugby Union MVP, Mathias Ochwo, Scrum Half Faizal Gama and Lock Joel Anguyo were all rushed to Nsambya hospital after suffering serious injuries, while in Nairobi, Victoria’s winger Justin Kimono suffered a rib Injury.

Ochwo suffered a torn Achilles tendon that may keep him out of active rugby for at least six months according to the Uganda Rugby Union medical team. 

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Rwenzori's Adnan Mutebi tries to breach Kengewa's defense. Photo by Johnson Were

Gama suffered a back strain while Anguyo suffered a leg injury after he was trodden on by an opponent during the game. 

A try, two penalties, and conversion by Joseph Aredo backed up by tries from Michael Wokorach and Richard Lumu with a conversion by Brian Kikawa were enough to hand Rwenzori a much deserved victory.

 “It was a tight game, they are a running side but we managed to tame them and won the game which is the principal of franchise rugby,” Rwenzori captain Alex Mubiru stated after the match.

“I know the coaches have been taking notes down there and we are going to correct our mistakes before the game in Mombasa next weekend,” Mubiru noted.

Tonny Owori and Charles Omondi scored Kenyan side Kengewa‘s tries while Ken Andola and Marvin Sumba chipped in with a conversion each.   

In the same pool Ndovu beat Mamba 67-3 in Nakuru to go top of Pool B.

Victoria outclassed

In Pool A, Uganda side Victoria were taken to the cleaners with a 70-15 thumping by Kenya side Nyumbu (a composition of Harlequins and Impala clubs) at the East African Rugby Grounds in Nairobi. 

Matthias Ochwo is stretchered off after sustaining an injury. Photo by Johnson Were

Leon Adongo scored four tries in the first half and helped himself to three more tries in the second half to set up the crushing win.

Brian Nyikuli, Lyle Asiligwa, Patrice Agunda, Tony Mutai and David Mogere each scored a try and were complimented by four conversions.

Victoria’s points were scored via a try, penalty and conversion from Kevin Makmot and a try Justin Kimono he was stretchered off with a rib injury which will rule him out of next weekend’s action.

In the other game played UAP Papa defeated Kiboko 53-0 at the same ground.