Uganda lose to Kenya in Nairobi

Uganda and Kenya locked horns in Nairobi in a friendly international over the weekend. Similar to the situation in Kampala, there was no publicity for the women’s game that took place at the Impala grounds at 11.30am. Kenya started off strongly and after a quick taken penalty by the forwards, the ball was spread down the back line for the captain Celestine Navalayo to score a try in the corner. The conversion was missed and Kenya led 5 – 0 after only 10 minutes of play. That shook the Ugandans and they sprang into action and camped in the Kenyan’s 22 for the remainder of the first half. Uganda failed to take advantage of numbers when the match referee gave a Kenyan forward a yellow card for persistent infringements at the rucks. The Ugandans squandered several try scoring opportunities and only had themselves to blame for not going into the break with a lead. In the second half the Ugandans rued the chances that they had missed earlier as the Kenyans kept the Ugandans pinned in their 22. A Ugandan forward was also sent to the sin bin for persistent infringements but determined defending from the Ugandan side kept the Kenyans from crossing the whitewash. However, Angela Olum nailed a penalty to take the final score of the game to 8 – 0.

Although both teams used their forwards well in open play the Ugandans were superior in set pieces while the Kenyans made better use of their backline. Next up are the Elgon cup games that will take place in July.

I will post the team lists of both teams later on in the week.

Kenya hold Lady Cranes to a draw in Kampala

In an unpublicised international, Uganda came back in the few minutes of the game to draw the game with their Kenyan neighbours. Both teams had failed to cross the whitewash in the first half but the second half saw Kenya score twice through Doreen Remour and Adelaide Nasambu. The conversions were missed so Kenya led 10 - 00 until waves of determined attacks from the hosts had them scoring through Fortunate Irankunda and Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi. The conversions were missed as well so the game ended at 10 - 10.

These games are being played as curtain raisers to the men's Bamburi Rugby Super Series (BRSS) games. However, the women's games are not part of the BRSS and the respective teams have to source for their own sponsorship. This has been difficult for the teams and the internationals were almost called off due to lack of finances.

The return leg will be played on 22nd May in Nairobi.

The Ugandan team

1. Christine Kizito
2. Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi
3. Fortunate Irankunda
4. Evelyn Aweku
5. Winnie Atyang
6. Aaliya Adania
7. Hellen Gizamba
8. Josephine Namayega
9. Prossy Nakakande
10. Claire Anena
11. Charlotte Mudoola
12. Brenda Kayiyi
13. Beatrice Atim
14. Hadijah Namuyanja
15. Helen Buteme
16. Patricia Ayebazibwe*
17. Dorothy Nekesa
18. Aisha Bahhani
19. Rebecca Akwenyu*
20. Joan Namuyomba
21. Mary Kyoita
22. Asha Nakityo*

* denotes first 15s cap.

Head Coach: Henry Musoke

Assistant Coach: Bobby Musinguzi

Team Manager: Anne Sizomu

Team doctor: Joseph Kalanzi

The Kenyan team

1. Mary Otieno

2. Adelaide Nasambu

3. Camilyne Awour

4. Millicent Opala

5. Rachel Adhiambo

6. Stacy Awour

7. Abadeen Shikoyi

8. Angela Olum

9. Anita Omondi

10. Doreen Remour

11. Catherine Abilla *

12. Philadelphia Olando

13. Celestine Navalayo

14. Rubina Wambui

15. Irene Awino

16. Hellen Antoni *

17. Mary Musieka

18. Kezia Adhiambo

19. Judy Agengo

20. Irene Namai

21. Janet Midecha

22. Emily Achieng

* denotes first 15s cap.

Head coach - Sammy Kemmey

Team Manager - Yvonne Makwali

Team doctor - James Moogi

Black Panthers whip Thunderbirds

Black Panthers overwhelmed former rugby queens, Thunderbirds, 36 - 12 in their final 15 aside league fixture at Kampala Rugby Club on 20th March. The in form Black Panthers' back line tore through the Thunderbirds with wingers Charlotte Mudoola and Emmanuella Oroma scoring a brace and hat-trick of tries respectively. Sylvia Ajok added the 6th try with Mudoola adding 2 conversions to her two try tally while Helen Buteme bagged one conversion.

Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi and Christine Kizito scored a try apiece for Thunderbirds with Kizito adding a conversion to make the scoreline decent.

Black Panthers retain the 15's title that they won last year.

Black Panthers new UWRA 10's champions

Black Panthers beat Thunderbirds 10 - 05 to win the second UWRA 10's competition. The win means that Black Panthers take over from Thunderbirds as the UWRA 10's champions.

The UWRA 15's league will come to an end on 20th March. The 2 sides battled to a 5-5 draw in the first encounter held at Kampala Rugby Club. Thunderbirds won the second game that was hosted at Makerere University, 13 - 5. The 3rd game saw Black Panthers winning without breaking a sweat as they were awarded a walkover against the Thunderbirds. Black Panthers head with 7 points while Thunderbirds have 5 points. A draw will be good enough for the Panthers to capture their second 15's league title while Thunderbirds will be going all out for a win.

Susan Cart lauds women's rugby in Uganda

Susan Carty, the IRB women's development manager in charge of women is impressed with the development of women rugby in Uganda. She also appealed to the Minister of Sports, Charles Bakkabulindi, to ensure that the government of Uganda gives more support to women's rugby.

Susan Carty next travels to South Africa for a IRB women's rugby workshop. She will be accompanied by UWRA chairperson, Irene Namapii.

Source: New Vision http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/710272

IRB's Susan Carty to visit Uganda

IRB's women's development manager, Susan Carty, will visit Uganda this week to meet with the Uganda Women's Rugby Association executive members. She will National Council of Sports (NCS) secretary Jasper Aligawesa, Uganda Olympic committee (UOC) president Roger Ddungu and sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi before she leaves for an IRB workshop in South Africa. National rugby development manager Ramsey Olinga confirmed that Carty is to assess the level at which IRB can support Uganda.

Source: New Vision http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/710104

Women's 2010 season kicks off

The UWRA season started with a 10 aside tournament in January. Black Panthers started off their season with a 7 - 5 win against Thunderbirds.

In the first 15 aside encounter played at Kampala Rugby Club, Thunderbirds scored early and looked to have wrapped up the game but Black Panthers forced a draw in the dying minutes of the game.