South Africa better Uganda again

The Lady Cranes reached the finals of the Nelson Mandela Bay 7's held at the Pearson High School, Summerstrand in Port Elizabeth, South Africa after topping their pool on day 1 (Friday 12th December) with victories against Eastern Province, the Department of Correctional Services and the Blue Bulls.

In the first game against Eastern Province, Rachel Kakaire and Helen Buteme scored one try apiece with Kakaire converting to take the final score to 12 - 00. Justine Bayiga got herself on the scoresheet in the game against the Department of Correctional Services with 2 tries, while captain Christine Kizito and Fortunate Irankunda both crossed the try line once. Kakaire added 2 conversions to end the game at 24 - 00. South Africa won both their pool games against Blue Bulls and Border to top their pool and set up a date with Eastern Province in one semi final while the Cranes took on Blue Bulls in the other semi final.

The semi finals were on 13th December, and the Lady Cranes had to dig deep to get themselves into the final. The Blue Bulls scored twice before the Lady Cranes clawed their way back into the game courtesy of 2 tries from Rachel Kakaire and 1 try from Helen Buteme. The final score was 15 - 10 to the Ugandans: the South Africans beat Eastern Province to meet Uganda in their 4th finals date since 2006.

On their home ground the South Africans hammered the Ugandans into submission, easily running out the winners with an emphatic 36 - 00 drubbing.

The top try scorer of the tournament was South African Phumeza Gadu while the MVP accolade went to her captain Saloma Booysen.



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Lady Cranes set for Mandela 7's

The Lady Cranes 7’s team departs for South Africa on Thursday to take part in the Nelson Mandela Bay 7’s. Coaches David Mutaka and Robert Sseguya plan to use this tournament to try out new combinations. The team will, however, do without the services of Josephine Namayega who has been ruled out for one month due to an ankle injury and Charlotte Mudoola who has examinations. Asha Ssonko and Rachel Kakaire come back into the squad to replace Namayega and Mudoola respectively while Justine Bayiga takes the place of Mary Kyoita on the wing.

Final Squad:
Forwards: Christine Kizito (captain), Asha Ssonko (Thunderbirds), Aliya Adania (Rangers), Fortunate Irankunda, Brenda Kayiyi (Black Panthers).Backs: Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi, Winnie Atyang, Harriet Kayonjo, Rachel Kakaire (Thunderbirds), Prossy Nakakande, Helen Buteme (Black Panthers), Justine Bayiga.

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Lady Cranes confirmed to travel to South Africa

Lady Cranes 7's team, sponsored by ICEMARK, flies out to Port Elizabeth, South Africa next week to take part in the Nelson Mandela Bay 7's tournament. David Mutaka and Robert Sseguya are yet to select the final 12 woman squad from the larger squad of 19.

Forwards: Christine Kizito, Asha Ssonko, Josephine Namayega, Aliya Adania, Fortunate Irankunda, Brenda Kayiyi, Dorothy Nekesa, Claire Anena.
Backs: Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi, Prossy Nakakande, Winnie Atyang, Rachel Kakaire, Helen Buteme, Harriet Kayonjo, Agnes Nantongo, Sauda Adiru, Justine Bayiga, Mary Kyoita, Charlotte Mudoola.

The jury is still out on Uganda's 200 and 400 metre sprint queen, Justine Bayiga. Will her 2 month training stint be enough for her to storm her way onto the team? Watch this space.


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