Elgon Cup Round 1 Review.

After the first leg of the Elgon Cup in Nairobi, both ties hang on a knife's edge with very little to pick between the sides. The Lionesses hold a one point advantage over the rugby lady cranes after winning their match 18-17. The Lions are on the opposite side of the tie, losing to the Uganda rugby cranes by a point, 16-17.

Kenya Lionesses 18-17 Uganda Lady Cranes

The Lionesses did well to get over a spirited lady cranes side. The margin could have been bigger if we had taken more of the chances we made. The ladies did well to nullify the visitors’ physical advantage by playing a great running game. The half back combination of Mary Musieka and captain Doreen Remour ensured this plan was executed to the letter. With centre Philadelphia Olando and full back Irene Onyango causing the Nyabos all sorts of problems with ball in hand.

Phila Olando in action (Photo - KRU)

It was however the hosts who put the first points on the board from a Racheal Babirye penalty. Doreen brought the scores level at 3 all from a penalty. Kenya were rampant in the first half, only guilty of failing to take a bigger score into the break. They defended resolutely against their physical counter parts and managed to keep the marauding Christine Kizito at bay. The lionesses were the first to cross the chalk midway through the first half, Celestine Masinde to take the score to 8-3 before Racheal slotted another Penalty to take the score at the half to 8-6.

The Lionesses gave away too many penalties in crucial areas handing the lady cranes a way back into the game. Babirye nicking in a total of 3 penalties for her side, this tally could have been more had she been more accurate. The Nyabos made their only try of the game through Asha Nakityo in the closing moments of the game. 

Christine Kizito was kept under wraps (Photo - KRU)

With less than 20 minutes to play, the Lionesses held a 18-9 lead, with tries from Ms. Olando and Janet Awour. That deficit was slashed to one by that Asha try and another Babirye penalty. The Lionesses would try to put more daylight in the score line, but the Lady cranes held on for a respectable one point defeat to give them a fighting chance in Kampala.

It was an all-round great performance from the Lionesses, apart from the backs that I have already mentioned. The forwards also deserve as much credit, matching their bigger counter parts in the scrum. The front row of, Rebecca Kerubo, Rosehilda Kamanga who was making her debut in the side and Camylin Oyuayo did a commendable job. The Lionesses also caused the visitors a sizeable amount of trouble from the maul.

With a reduced penalty count especially from off sides and a more clinical conversion of chances, the Lionesses will be on their way to a 6^th Elgon Cup title.

Kenya XVs 16-17 Uganda Rugby Cranes

The men started the match on the right foot, scoring inside the first two minutes of the match, Joseph Kangethe going over after the Ugandans failed to clear their lines. Adimo would miss the resulting conversion to make the scores 5-0. Kenya were on the ascendancy, pinning the visitors inside their 22 with some great phase play.

But in what would quickly become the theme of the game, Justin Kimono picked up a loose ball inside his 22, went past a handful of defenders to score at the corner to tie the scores.  The Kenyans still had the upper hand now midway through the first half. Robert Sseguya at number 9 was not having the best of days as the Kenyans attacked his channel relentlessly. He was put under a lot of pressure, this was transferred to his back line who say very little quality ball over the 80 minutes.

Kenya were running the show, Isaac Adimo and Nick Barasa combining well to punch holes in the Uganda back line. This however counted for little as it was rarely converted into points, the visitors managing to get back and defend resolutely.  Adimo would kick his side into a half time lead from a penalty, with the Lions deserving of a much bigger margin going into the break, than the three they had at 8-5. 

Uganda came out of the blocks stronger in the second half, but there was no denying Joshua Chisanga who went over for his side to make it 13-5. Chisanga one of 7 full debutants in the side had so far had a cracker at number 8 alongside Oliver Mangeni in second row. The Kenyan's however gave away 3 penalties as the tie turned on its head, Uganda taking a 14-13 lead courtesy of Bishop Onen's boot.

The Ugandan's were holding the Kenyan's at bay as they had done for the last 70 minutes. With little action from the bench Kenya's charge faded slowly. Adimo slotting in a penalty to hand his side the lead once again at 16-14. Onen would however punish the Kenyans from an infringement drilling his penalty in from 30 meters. There was drama at the end when Adimo kicked over a penalty, the two assistant referees flags went up amid protest from the visitors. The centre referee over ruled his assistants' decision and awarded a 22 drop out.

There was no way back for the hosts as they succumbed to their third defeat to the Cranes on home soil. The young Lions side gave a great account of themselves, all the debutants can be proud of their performance. Joshua Chisanga, Oliver Mangeni, Mike Agevi and Okombe having the greatest impact on the game. Vincent Mose was as usual devastating on the counter, putting in some great yards for the side.

If there is anywhere to lay blame for this loss it is on the technical bench. We had no clear game plan, there was no harmony in the side, the forwards were playing from a different book from the backs. This could be down to the half back pairing who have seen better days, Achayo did an okay job at the set piece. He was guilty of delayed service at the ruck, but he was by far not the worst scrum half on the pitch.

Adimo was guilty of a few rush decisions, a drop goal attempt for one that could have gone otherwise. Some challenge his selection, sighting an over the board risk taker, this however works both ways. If the risks he takes work, he's a hero, if they don't, well we have this. He missed a couple of penalties that he would have slotted in on another day. 

Adimo in action (Photo - The Starndard)

Our front row selection raised a lot of eye brows, the Kangethe twins though very able, were inexplicably shipped in directly into the side. We, well I expected a scrummaging master piece from the duo, but they played second fiddle to the Ugandan front row through out the match. They also gave very little in terms of yards with ball in hand. It was one of those rare occasions where the backs had a more direct approach than the forwards. 

Despite the selection cries, the biggest mistake the technical bench made was not using the subs, only one sub was made..how?! Mid way through the first half, you could see the charges fading, especially in the forwards. With the likes of Dennis Karani and Curtis Lilako on hand, we passed up a great opportunity to inject a new lease of life into the game. 

We were always going to have a tough time with a virtually new side against a Ugandan side that oozed experience. A few old heads in there would have helped steer and steady our ship especially in the forwards. After the game, a friend suggested that the Nakuru forwards would have won this game, I don't know if I can dispute that. Some of the players selected have not been in top flight action this season, which brings to question the selection criteria.

I will not go into the selection debate as I have no idea what criteria they use, what is clear is that a review of the same is needed. You could see from the substitutes used, or lack there of, that Jerome had no idea what he was handling, if indeed he was handling anything.   

With all those issues, the young side dominated the tie both in possession and territory, we were the better side over the 80 minutes. Our failure to convert the chances created was our biggest misgiving, this match could have been done and dusted going into the half time break. If we can rectify this before we travel to Kampala then this tie is far from over. 

With that Ladies and Gents...have a great week ahead aaaaaannnnnnnnnnddddddddd......

KWISHA.....Nimeruka Nje!!!!!!