Rugby Cranes stumble, Kyadondo out

By Johnson Were in Nairobi

U-19 Semi-final

Kyadondo 0 Nyanza Province 5

Main Cup results

Uganda 5 Nakuru 5

Uganda 7 KCB 20

Today

Uganda v Australia (8:00pm) 

THE Rugby Cranes 7s team must win their next and final group stage game against Australia Renegades if they are to qualify for the knockout stages of the main Cup in the Safaricom 7s tournament at Kasarani Stadium Nairobi.

This after the team suffered a 20-7 defeat at the hands of Kenya Commercial Bank in their second game of Pool B.

Cranes 7s had opened the campaign with a draw against Kenyan side Nakuru but faltered against KCB.

Emma Ecudu’s sprint to the try line gave Uganda a 5-0 half time lead but they could not handle the pressure from the home side that looked fitter than them.

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TURNING POINT: Jasper Ochen is sin binned to halt Uganda's momentum. Photo by Johnson Were

In the second game, Cranes conceded two early tries but fought back to get a try and close the margin 10-7 but a yellow card given to Jasper Ochen broke Uganda’s resistance as they conceded two more tries.

“It was our first game and I think the boys were just getting prepared. Let’s see how our next game goes but our focus for the podium finish is still on,” coach Tolbert Onyango stated after the game.

Meanwhile, Kyadondo U19 was left stunned following a 5-0 defeat by Kenyan side Nyanza Province in the semi-finals.

The pre-tournament favourites in the U19 category Kyadondo failed to live up to expectations and settled for the Plate cup.

Kyadondo first whipped Eastern province of Kenya 39-0 and Rwanda 19-0 in their opening fixtures to send a signal to the rest of the teams but all their lethal weapons were silenced in the semi.

Ugandans feature for Rwanda 

After being left out of the national 7s team, Ugandan players Kevin Makmot, David Otwi and Isaac Kimera decided to represent neighbours Rwanda.

Isaac Kimera (R) and Kevin Makmot in the Rwandan strip. Photo by Johnson Were

‘We wanted exposure and that is why we had to come be part of Rwanda team,” the boys stated.

The boys helped Rwanda put up a good performance against Kenya side Mwamba despite a 24-12 defeat.