Uganda Rugby Cranes do have one hand on the Elgon Cup after defeating rivals and hosts Kenya 16-13 in their own back yard.
Two tries in either half for Uganda plus six points from the kicks by half-back Aaron Ofoyrwoth gave Uganda the 16 points while Kenya scored from a penalty at half time and added two tries in the second half to total 13 points.
Kobs utility back Adrian Kasito who started as a full back set the game rolling for Uganda when he crossed the white line five minutes into play to give Uganda a 5-0 lead early on. Ofoyrwoth,who plays for Kenyan side Harlequins missed the resultant conversion but saved his blushes with a drop goal to push Uganda’s lead to 8-0.
Uganda would go into a 11-00 lead through Ofoyrwoth’s well taken penalty. At the stroke of half time, Uganda’s advantage was cut short after Kenya were awarded a penalty with Ronald Kayanja seeing yellow. Dominic Coulson converted from the spot to send the game 11-3 by half time.
At the restart, Uganda got the first score, through Kobs utility Pius Ogera but like in the first half, Ofoyrwoth went on to miss the extras. Kenya who had been brilliantly shut out by the Uganda’s defence, went on to register their first try in the game.
Substitute Griffin Musila went over the line to give Kenya their first five points with his KCB teammate Jeff Okwach also landing a try minutes later to make it 13-16. Kenya could have won the match but like Uganda, they missed both their extras from the tries.
Uganda would hold on to win 16-13 to register their first win on Kenyan turf in six years with their last visit ending in a disappointing 38-22 loss.
Aaron Ofoyrwoth was voted man of the match. It was a game that ushered many into the international rugby world as Uganda named eight debutants while Kenya had more with only 7 players who played in the 2018 edition making head Coach Paul Odera’s squad this year.
Earlier in the day, Captain Orlando Philadelphia bagged a hat-trick of tries to inspire Kenya Lionesses to a 44-13 victory over Uganda Lady Rugby team to win the Elgon Cup. Uganda rallied late on to pull 13 points back to help salvage some pride. The
The return leg of the Elgon Cup shall be played on Saturday, 13thJuly at the Kyadondo Rugby grounds in Kampala.
