Lady Cranes 15's trials this Saturday

With the UWRA 7's, 10's and 15's leagues wrapped up the women will now have their 15 aside trials this weekend. A provisional squad will be picked in preparation for the Elgon Cup on August 15th in Nairobi, Kenya. UWRA will release the names of the provisional squad next week.

In other women's news, in a UWRA AGM held last week, Irene Namapii was returned as chairperson of the Uganda Women's Rugby Association. All her committee members save Christine Kizito were re-elected. Kizito was replaced by Sarah Nassali.

UWRA committee

Chairperson - Irene Namapii

Vice Chairperson - Immy Mudoola

Secretary - Helen Buteme

Treasurer - Jeroline Akubu

Members - Julian Nkruyija, Pamela Abeja, Sarah Nassali.

Kenya women's coach, Kemmy calls up 7 new players

Sseven new players have been called up to the national women’s rugby team to start preparations for the first leg of Elgon Cup against Uganda on August 15 at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground. Among the new call ups is Sharon Onyango, a sister to Lucas Onyango who plays Rugby League in Manchester for Oldham. Others are Rachel Wamoto, Catherine Abilla, Sylvia Kavere, Anita Kalemera and Esther Njue.

But coach Sammy Kemmey will miss two key players - Anita Omondi and Nereah Awino - who are currently out of the country. The bulk of the 30 players named by Kemmey are from Mwamba Invaders with the rest from Ruaraka-based Vivi Girls.

The team has been training from February and used Safari Sevens as part of their build up. “The players have matured and are upbeat about the upcoming assignments,” the coach said. Celestine Navalayo, the women’s national team captain is encouraged by the steady growth of women’s rugby especially in schools.

Provisional Kenya women squad:

Stacy Awuor, Janet Midecha, Kezia Achieng, Maureen Minayo, Robinah Wambui, Sharon Onyango, Irene Namai (Vivi Girls)

Celestine Navalayo, Catherine Abilla, Rachel Adhiambo, Judy Agengo, Irene Awino, Irene Nyakundi, Rachel Wamoto, Dorcus Ocholi, Emily Achieng, Camilyne Awuor, Adelaide Nasambu, Abedine Shikhoi, Mary Atieno, Mary Musieka, Esther Njue, Angela Olum, Doreen Remour, Millicent Opalla, Philadelphia Olando, Sylvia Kavere, Agnes Wanjiru, Anita Kalemera and Rebecca Kerubo (Mwamba Invaders).

source: The Punter, Daily Nation, July 25th

Catherine Spencer and TRDT donate jerseys to Black Panthers

Black Panthers Rugby Club were beneficiaries of a set of jerseys donated by the England womens 15's captain, Catherine Spencer, and the Tag Rugby Development Trust (TRDT). Spencer had visited Uganda as a TRDT volunteer and used the occassion to hand over the jerseys used by the English team during the Six Nations championship. TRDT founder, Martin Hansford, also handed over a set of jerseys to Rangers Rugby Club and promised to continue supporting tag rugby and women's rugby in Uganda.

Black Panthers win second 15's tie

Black Panthers scored through Aisha Bahanii in the first 3 minutes of their 15 aside game last Saturday against Thunderbirds and held on doggedly to win the game 05 - 00. The ladies face off once more this weekend (25th July) for a winner takes all game to determine who are the UWRA 15's champions.

A Lady Cranes team will be selected at the end of the month to take on the Kenyans in the first leg of the Elgon Cup (15th August) that will be held in Nairobi. The second leg will be in Kampala on the 29th August. Last year, the Lady Cranes won the first encounter in Kampala 18 - 07 before narrowly losing 13 - 15 in Nairobi.

ugrugbychiclet

Thunderbirds win first 15's game

The Thunderbirds showed great character to come from behind to beat Black Panthers 10 - 07 in the first 15 aside game between the two teams played on 4th July at Kyadondo Rugby Club. The first half of the game ended 00 - 00 with contrasting styles of play being shown. Thunderbirds preferred to use their bulkier forwards and set up mauls that the Black Panthers found difficult to defend while the Black Panthers chose use their pace and run the ball from everywhere on the pitch.

In the second half, The Black Panthers turned over possession deep in their 22 and fed the ball to Emma Oroma on the wing who sprinted 80 metres to dot down between the posts. Charlotte Mudoola made good the conversion to spring a 07 - 00 lead. Black Panthers wasted several clear scoring opportunites and were made to rue their missed chances when Thunderbirds piled on the pressure with 10 minutes to go that resulted in Agnes Nantongo scoring in the corner. Christine Kizito was unable to convert leaving Thunderbirds 2 points behind. Thunderbirds turned up the heat and it paid dividends when Asha Ssonko scored a last gasp try in the 78th minute of play and although Kizito failed to convert Ssonko had done enough to ensure victory for the Thunderbirds.