Victoria Cup: Kenya in 33-25 win over Uganda

Kenya put in a spirited performance in registering a 33-25 away result over Uganda at the Kyadondo Rugby Club this afternoon. This Victoria Cup clash which also doubled up as an Elgon Cup tie saw Uganda fail to get the ball the requisite ten yards clear from kick off leading to a early scrum down which bore no fruit as the game stayed tentative in the opening exchange. A Kenyan foray into Ugandan territory saw the Rugby Cranes conceed an early penalty. The massive boot of Peter Abuoga ensured the ball sails over the sticks giving Kenya a 3-0 lead.

Uganda would soon respond, winger Bishop Onen penetrating the Kenyan rearguard with no success. Kenya would soon make another foray into Ugandan territory, winning another penalty from a Ugandan infringement. Abuoga stretched Kenya's lead to 6-0 on eleven minutes . Kenya's Andrew Amonde would soon drop a high ball, gifting the hosts a scrum down that gave them the impetus to attack from the base. Onen was on the end of good build play from the Cranes, touching down at the corner flag. Ben Kiiza missed the conversion with the scores at 6-5 in Kenya's favour.

This try sparked the game into life, Abuoga piercing through the Rugby Cranes defense but his final delviery to Victor Sudi was poor. Kenya soon made their first serious foray into the Ugandan twenty five, camping for close to five minutes as they dominated the maul. Daniel Kiptoo would soon pass the ball to Nato Simiyu who played in elder brother and team captain Innocent "Namcos" Simiyu who barged over the tryline for an 11-5 lead. Abuoga's conversion took the score to 13-5.

The hosts would agai respond, taking the fight to the Kenyan half, winning a penalty that Kiiza slotted home, reducing the scores to 13-8.  The visitors were soon awarded a penalty after another Ugandan infringement, marking another spell of Kenyan dominance. They kept possession and stole into Ugandan territory with Tony Mutai touching down right at the stroke of half time.

Uganda 8 Kenya 18

The visitors were quick off the mark in the second half, Amonde touching down early on. Abuoga would again miss this conversion as Kenya led 23- 8. Ugandan backrower Robert Sseguya cut the deficit with the first of his three tries. Kiiza again missed this conversion with the scoreboard reading 23-18 in Kenya's favour.

With a thirteen point deficit, there clearly was a game to be played. The intensity rose a notch high and it is probable that this influenced Kenya's decision to go for points when the erratic Ugandans again infringed. Abuoga was sure with the kick, Kenya 26 Uganda 13. A massive Ugandan kick saw them enter Kenya's twenty five yard, piling pressure. Kenya would soon lose Mike Aung to the cooler at about the same point. Sseguya added his second try after a Ugandan maul in the Kenyan five yard. Kiiza again missed this conversion as Kenya led 26-18.

Even with such close socres and a man down, the Kenyans continued to dominate and soon made things even more diifficult for Uganda when Simyu scored a his second try, giving Kenya a 3118 lead. Abuoga's conversion took the scores to 33-18. Sseguya completed his treble at the death, Kiiza finally found his convertible boots but it was a case of too little..too late. Final score Uganda 25 Kenya 33

Kenya picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries and now lead the Victoria Cup standings with nine points from two games. The two sides face off in Nairobi on Saturday 10th July 2010 when the fate of the Elgon Cup and maybe even the Victoria Cup could be decided on this date.

Earlier, Uganda's women edged out Kenya 8-5 in their Elgon Cup tie at the same venue. This game was a closely contested affair, Uganda putting the early pressure before Kenya got their groove. Both sides would rue missed chances as the first half ended 0-0.

Second half was equally close. It took twenty five minutes in this half before Fortune Irankunda broke the deadlock. Uganda 5 Kenya 0. Kenyan captain Celestine Masinde soon equalized before big Christine Kizito gave Uganda the win with a late penalty.
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By Michael Kwambo in Kampala