Uganda Cranes clinched the first win of the 2019 Elgon Cup tournament at the Mamboleo Showgrounds beating the Kenya Simbas 16-13.
The Cranes were very clinical in their attack as they landed their first try of the match through Adrian Kasito in the opening five minutes. The conversion that followed sailed wide, Uganda retaining the 5-0 lead.
18 minutes after Kasito’s try, the Cranes having set Camp in Simbas 22 resulted in a perfected positioned Aaron Ofoyrwoth splitting the posts with a drop goal that extended Uganda’s lead to 8-0. Aaron and The Simba’s flyhalf Dominic Coulson traded penalties each in the last eight minutes of the first half for a 3-11 score at the breather.
Uganda’s loosehead prop Santos Senteza extended his side’s lead to 3-16 as he went over the whitewash; the conversion drifted wide. The Simba finishers who came in in the second half upped the tempo with Griffin Musila and Geofrey Okwach landing the Simbas two tries in the match. The first conversion bounced off the posts as the second one drifted wide for a three-point Uganda lead.
Despite The Simbas efforts to break the Ugandan defense, lady luck was not on their side. The Simbas attacker was tackled in Uganda’s five Meter mark and taken into touch by Uganda’s defenders in the last play, referee Egon Seconds calling it full time.
“Our preparations have been very positive throughout the training sessions. Composure during our defense and attack is what worked for us in ensuring we keep the win. We know The Simbas will come to Kampala ready to claim the win so we still have our work cut out for us,” said Robert Seguya, Uganda Cranes Head Coach.
Aaron Ofoyrwoth picked up the Man of the match accolade after his stellar performance in this fixture.
The Elgon Cup return leg takes place on the 13th of July at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala Uganda.
