Featured Image: Action between Uganda and Zambia at Kyadondo. Courtesy photo
Saturday, August 17
*Uganda 38-22 Zambia
Uganda’s senior Rugby 15s national team, the Rugby Cranes, beat Zambia 38-22 in a Victoria cup encounter at Kyadondo Rugby grounds, Kampala.
The victory, is the first for Robert Sseguya’s troops at home and second overall in the ongoing campaign.
The visitors got off to a dream start when they capitalised on Daudi Ssemwami’s slip for Jason Thole to make the game’s first try.
Uganda fought back, put up a five-try display after falling 0-7, to seal a dominant and convincing performance at a packed Kyadondo.
Justin Kimono, Eliphaz Emong, Faraj Odugo, Philip Wokorach and Desire Ayera scored Uganda’s tries. Wokorach added a couple of tries and penalties to see Uganda across the line.
Uganda Better Zambia
Coming into the game, Uganda had lost two straight home games and needed nothing but victory in what was also their last home game before facing Zambia and Zimbabwe on the road.
Fullback Wokorach scored two penalties to settle the nerves after trailing 0-7 in the first two opening minutes.
Uganda suffered a minor set back with Pius Ogena getting injured and paved way for Desire Ayera.
Wokorach later freed Kimono and the pint-sized player, returning after a year out, grounded his try as the Cranes took the lead 11-7 for the first time in the game to send the Kyadondo fans into frenzy celebrations. Wokorach fluffed the extras.
Zambia caught Uganda’s defence by surprise to pick their second try. However, Elphaz Emong picked his moment for a try before Faragi also picked also grounded his first in a national team jersey as a starter. Both sides scored penalties to send the game 28-15 at the break.
Wokorach failed to convert an extra after scoring an easy try to make it 33-15. Zambia reduced the deficit with a try and conversion but a late Ayera try proved to be an icing on a 38-22 cake.
This, was Zambia’s third straight loss in the competition. They fell 39-10 and 42-23 to Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively. The side is ranked 65 while Uganda are 42nd.
This was Uganda’s second win, the team beat Kenya in Kisumu. They lost the return leg to the Simbas at Kyadondo before falling again to Zimbabwe sables at Legends.
Uganda Team Used – First 15s
Santos Ssenteza, Faragi Odugo, Asuman Mugerwa, Charles Odong, Simon Peter Olet, Brian Asaba, Pius Ogena, Elphas Emong, Paul Epilo, Ivan Magomu, Daudi Ssemwami, Michael Wokorach, Ian Munyani, Justin Kimono, Phillip Wokorach
More details to follow
