Elgon Cup, We Took It Back, But Lost The Rock.

Before the start of this year’s Elgon Cup, two themes were picked for the Kenya teams. “Taking it Back” For the Men’s side and “Keeping The Rock..” For the Ladies. We took it back, but unfortunately lost the rock in the process.

The 2013 Elgon Cup Champions (Photo  KRU)

The 2013 edition of the Elgon Cup will go down as the most competitive and closely fought out tournament we’ve had this far, on both fronts. After the first leg in Nairobi the winning sides who were incidentally the defending champions from the previous year, held a one point advantage. At the end of the second leg in Kampala, the two sides that had won in Nairobi were on the wrong side of the score line, relinquishing their respective trophies.

Kenya Ladies 8-13 Uganda Rugby Lady Cranes (Agg. 26-30)

The Kenya Lionesses had a slim 18-17 advantage going into the second leg, after having dominated proceedings in Kasarani courtesy of their mobile play. In Kyadondo though, the Lady Cranes stepped it up a notch, taking a 5-0 lead into the break courtesy of a late Aisha Nakityo’s try.

The Kenya Lionesses after the 1st Leg (Photo - MOR)

The Second half saw the Lionesses get off the mark from a Doreen Remour penalty to make it 5-3. The lady cranes stretched their lead to 10-3, through a Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi unconverted try. Kenya’s Phila Olando went over to make it a two point game at 10-8.

With precious little time left, a Rachel Babirye penalty put the result beyond doubt, final score 13-8. With that win, the Lady Cranes claimed the Elgon Cup title for the first time since 2008. They have also booked a berth against the Lady Boks for a chance to represent the continent at the World Cup.

Kenya XVs 19-13 Uganda Rugby Cranes (Agg. 34-30)

The Kenya XVs had the weight of the nation on their shoulders as they flew to Kampala for the second leg. After narrowly losing 16-17 at home, disgruntled voices had already started chirping at the side. Head Coach Jerome Paarwater kept faith in the side that had slipped up at Kasarani to reclaim the Elgon Cup title.

He was forced into an early change in the game, when Vice-Captain Vincent Mose suffered a concussion. Isaac Adimo who had started at fly half, dropped to full back with Ken Andola coming in at 10. It was Uganda who changed the score board first, Joseph Aredo slotting in a penalty to make it 3-0.  Andola would restore parity to the score line, sinking in a penalty to make it 3 all. Another successful Andola penalty saw Kenya take the lead at 3-6, before Marvin Odong went over with Bishop Onen converting to make it 10-6.

Ken Andola would soon after drill in his third penalty of the day, to bring the scores to 10-9. Before Isaac Adimo went over the chalk, with Andola converting to hand the Kenyans a 10-16 lead into the break. The second half saw Kenya continue running their hosts across the turf, Andola punishing the Ugandans again from a penalty to make it 10-19.

Time was quickly running out for the hosts, who were running out of ideas as fast as the clock ticked. In the end they couldn’t get past the Kenyan resolute defensive line. The game would end on the same note it started, with a Joseph Aredo penalty, to bring the final score to 13-19.

It was a more clinical display from the Kenyans, especially from the boot, Ken Andola’s 14 points on the day handing his side the trophy. This time out, the subs bench was utilized fully, the half back pairing worked like clockwork despite the early change.

Okoombee (Photo - KRU)

The boys paid their coach’s faith in them handsomely, reclaiming the Elgon Cup title that they lost in Nairobi last year. Focus now shifts to the CAR division 1A championships in Madagascar early next month, where these sides will be meeting.

We already know what the Ugandans have, which is not much to be honest. We have managed to run their most experienced side with a really young squad, unless they ship in a new 23 from Pluto, it will be the same in Madagascar.

With that ladies and gentlemen…..A big shout to the fan contingent that travelled to Kampala, I hear you run that ka village town to the ground..Weeellll INNN!!!

“Kenya Tumepiga Uganda Mateke…Sababu ya Mateke…Kyadondo Kuna Nduruuu..Mateke, Mateke, Mateke..eeeehh. Sababu ya Mateke…Kyadondo Kuna Nduru!!!!” Kyaaaaammmmaaaaannnnn….

“Ati Walileta Nye nye nyeee….Fimbo ika…TWANGA!!!!!”

KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!!!