Elgon cup: Uganda 10-48 Kenya
Rugby Cranes were in sixes and sevens as Kenya took the advantage in the Elgon cup first leg with a comprehensive 48-10 win at Legends Rugby Grounds Saturday afternoon.
The battering started in the opening five minutes of the game with Vincent Mose giving the visitors the early lead with a touch down. Man of the match Darwin Mukidza converted to add the extras.
Man of the match; Kenya’s Darwin Mukidza
Mike Okombe then added insult to injury with another try as the home side were caught napping inside their 5-yard line. A quick start after a penalty was awarded to Kenya saw the visitors stretch their lead to 12-00 inside the opening ten minutes.
The Rugby Cranes then threatened a comeback with Asuman Mugerwa’s power run finished off by a charging Charles Uhuru to restore sanity.
Kevin Makmot then converted a penalty before missing two in a row and head coach Robert Sseguya turned to debutant Philip Wockorach for the next kick.
Heathens full back Phillip Wokorach
The Heathens full back’s ball hit the post on its way in and Uganda were within 2-points.
Phillip Wokorach taking a penalty #ElgonCuppic.twitter.com/bMdEwpDNxZ
— Kawowo Sports (@kawowosports) June 4, 2016
Mukidza then drilled home a penalty to see the Simbas go 15-10 up before converting Musa Amusala’s and his own try to see Kenya lead 29-10 at the half.
The second period saw Eric Kasiita and Davis Kyewalabye replacing Byron Oketa and Makmot respectively as Uganda looked to add more pace on the field of play.
Kiwalabye’s impact may have been immediate but Uganda couldn’t cross the most important white line.
When Uganda conceded a late try in the second half against Kenya 2016 #ElgonCup at Legends https://t.co/4gdIcDYSNO
— Kawowo Sports (@kawowosports) June 4, 2016
With Kenya carrying a comfortable lead, they absorbed the pressure and defended their line for all the 40 minutes. Second half replacement Nato Simiyu then touched down on the visitors’ first attack into the Rugby Cranes half.
Uganda struggled to clear the lines as Kenya advanced! 2016 #ElgonCup at Legends Rugby Grounds. https://t.co/9bNYlVaA1i
— Kawowo Sports (@kawowosports) June 4, 2016
The lead stretched to 34-10 as the home crowd was sent into deafening silence. Simuyi then turned from scorer to provider as his superb cross kick found Mukidza on the wing to extend the lead.
Uganda lost 10-48 to Kenya at Legends Rugby Grounds. Check out some action here! #ElgonCuppic.twitter.com/feUorPcQxg
— Kawowo Sports (@kawowosports) June 4, 2016
Mukidza converted before slicing through the home team’s back line to confirm Kenya’s biggest win in this competition.
Oscar Kalyango chasing for the ball at Legends
Despite the loss, Sseguya remains optimistic the tie will be decided in the return leg in Kenya.
“It is not over yet, we played a much better game compared to them and we know it is possible to upset them in their backyard,” Sseguya told Kawowo Sports at the end of the game.