CAR 7's possibly cancelled

Word out on the grapevine is that the biggest women's 7's tournament in Africa will not take place this year as the Uganda Rugby Union has been unable to get sponsors for the event. National teams from Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda have taken part in previous editions. This year it was hoped that teams from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Madagascar, and Morocco would make their debut. I do not yet have the full details but evidently CAR needs to do more for women's rugby in the region. African unions, excepting South Africa and possibly Tunisia, simply do not have the financial muscle to tour the world seeking out competition to improve their standard of rugby. With this trend, I see the gap similarly widening between South Africa and the rest of Africa in women's rugby as it is in men's rugby.

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Lady Cranes win match but lose Elgon Cup

Lady Cranes put up a strong performance to pip the Kenyan team that had humiliated them 38 – 05 in Nairobi two weeks previously. Henry Musoke made only two changes to his squad after losing Dorothy Nekesa and Angela Athieno to injury. Utility back, Charlotte Mudoola came back into the squad at outside centre while hooker, Stella Kyalikunda earned a place on the bench. After a scoreless first half, a penalty try was awarded to Uganda at the beginning of the second half after a Kenyan player pulled back Charlotte Mudoola as she chased a loose ball rolling into the in goal area. Mudoola converted to give the Ugandans a 7 point lead. This lead was narrowed to 2 points when Celestine Navalayo scored 20 minutes later. The Lady Cranes kept the pressure on the Kenyans and were rewarded when Stella Kyalikunda wrapped it up for the Uganda in the last 10 minutes of the game after she dotted down under the posts. Mudoola missed the conversion so the final score remained at 12 – 05. Despite winning the game, Uganda lost the Elgon Cup on aggregate (Uganda 17, Kenya 43).

Several players from both teams stood out but the pick of them all was the Kenyan number 8, Irene Nyakundi, who carried the ball well and turned over the ball at numerous occasions when Uganda was looking dangerous. Her captain, Celestine Navalayo who played at outside centre, also deserves mention for her strong runs. For Uganda, second rowers Hellen Gizamba and her vice captain Evelyn Aweku were outstanding in the lineouts and ball carrying while the entire front row, Warry Nambirige, Christine Kizito and Fortunate Irankunda were instrumental in destabilising the Kenyan scrum. Helen Buteme, at fullback, neutralised the Kenyans kicking game and made several try saving tackles.

Full-time: 12 - 05

Half-time: 0-0

Scorers

Uganda, Tries: Penalty try, Stella Kyalikunda; Conversions: Charlotte Mudoola.

Kenya, Tries: Celestine Navalayo.

Match officials

Referee: Charles Mungoma (Uganda)

Assistant referees: Denis Anguyo and Daniel Alilo (Uganda).

Match Commissioner: Denis Odongkara (Uganda)

Lady Cranes

1. Warry Nambirige - Thunderbirds
2. Fortunate Irankunda - Black Panthers
3. Christine Kizito – Thunderbirds (Stella Kyalikunda)
4. Hellen Gizamba - Black Panthers
5. Evelyn Aweku (vice captain) - Thunderbirds
6. Aalliya Adania - Thunderbirds
7. Claire Anena - Black Panthers
8. Josephine Namayega - Black Panthers
9. Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi - Thunderbirds
10. Harriet Kayonjo - Thunderbirds
11. Prossy Nakakande (captain) - Black Panthers
12. Brenda Kayiyi - Black Panthers
13. Charlotte Mudoola - Rangers
14. Hadijah Namuyanja – Rangers (Beatrice Atim)
15. Helen Buteme - Black Panthers
16. Stella Kyalikunda - Thunderbirds
17. Alice Nankyonyi - Thunderbirds
18. Emma Oroma - Black Panthers
19. Aisha Bahanii - Black Panthers
20. Joan Namuyomba - Thunderbirds
21. Beatrice Atim - Black Panthers
22. Mary Kyoita - Rangers

Coach: Henry Musoke

Assistant coach: Bobby Musinguzi

Team manager: Jackie Kigozi

Team doctor: Priscilla Najjemba

Kenyan team

1. Camilyne Awuor - Mwamba Invaders
2. Mary Otieno - Mwamba Invaders
3. Rebecca Kerubo - Mwamba Invaders (Janet Midecha)
4. Angela Olum - Mwamba Invaders
5. Rachael Adhiambo - Mwamba Invaders
6. Stacy Awuor - Vivi Girls
7. Aberdeen Shikhoyi - Mwamba Invaders
8. Irene Nyakundi - Mwamba Invaders
9. Mary Musieka - Mwamba Invaders (Anita Omondi)
10. Doreen Remour - Mwamba Invaders
11. Philadelphia Olando - Mwamba Invaders
12. Judy Agengo - Mwamba Invaders
13. Celestine Navalayo (Captain) - Mwamba Invaders
14. Robinah Wambui - Vivi Girls
15. Irene Awino - Mwamba Invaders
16. Anita Omondi - Mwamba Invaders
17. Dorcas Ocholi - Mwamba Invaders
18. Esther Njue - - Mwamba Invaders
19. Kezia Adhiambo - Vivi Girls
20. Adelaide Nasambu - Mwamba Invaders
21. Millicent Opalla - Mwamba Invaders
22. Janet Midecha - Vivi Girls

Coach: Sammy Kemmy

Assistant coach: Pritt Nyandatt

Team manager: Yvonne Makwali

Physiotherapist: Gerald Omondi

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