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RUGBY AFRICA CUP: RUGBY CRANES STUN GHANA EAGLES IN RUGBY AFRICA CUP GROUP C OPENER.

RUGBY AFRICA CUP: RUGBY CRANES STUN GHANA EAGLES IN RUGBY AFRICA CUP GROUP C OPENER.

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Uganda Rugby Cranes started their 2021 Rugby Africa Cup campaign with a massive win (53 - 12) over the Ghana Eagles in Group C at the Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, Kampala, Uganda on Saturday. 10. July. 2021.

Uganda under the captainship of Ivan Magona enjoyed territory and dominated possession from start to finish; imposing their rhythm of play to dominate the entire first half.

With just a few minutes into the game, it was Try Time for Uganda with Faraji Odugo drawing first blood at the back of the maul from the line out as the hosts took a 5-0 lead.

Moments later, the Ghana Eagles fell again when Desire Ayera combined well with Solomon Okia with the later speeding past the West Africans’ defense to score; and the eventual conversion was a good one from Adrian Kasito.

Adrian against Ghana Eagles
Fullback Adrian Kasito was Uganda Rugby Cranes' best player on the afternoon. He walked away with the Man of the Match performance award.

This match continued to be a one-sided affair with the Ghanaians struggling defensively against the Uganda Rugby Cranes who were high in confidence, thriving in contact play, an aspect of play that the Ghana Eagles couldn’t simply cope with.

Everything stood firm for the hosts and thus finishing the first half very strong.

Returning from the changing room, the second half was clearly like the first, with a clear domination from the Rugby Cranes, and they further widen the score gap.

Adrian K
Uganda Rugby Cranes Fullback Adrian Kasito in action against Ghana Eagles.

The Ghana Eagles under the captainship of Selon Gavor managed to console themselves with only a score of 12 by Full Time.

After the game, Adrian Kasito who scored 13 points was named Man of the Match.

It victory it was for the Uganda Rugby Cranes who were playing international rugby for the first time since 2019; with the entire season of 2020 swabbed out by the COVID -19 Pandemic.

Rugby Cranes Vs Gnana Eagles

This was the first encounter between Uganda who are ranked 41st and 87th placed Ghana according to the most recent Rugby World Ranking.

Meanwhile, before kick- off, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the fallen comrades of Ugandan rugby and Kyadondo Rugby Club. These included Peter Ofong, Gershom Onono and Mattew Okema among others.

The Rugby Cranes will be back in action against Algeria on Sunday. 18th. July. 2021 at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.

Uganda Rugby Cranes Lineup:

Forwards: 1 Santos Senteza, 2 Faraji Odugo, 3 Brian Odongo (vice-captain), 4 Robert Aziku, 5 Eliphaz Emong, 6 Kelvin Balagadde, 7 Byron Oketayot, 8 Desire Ayera.

Backs: 9 Paul Epillo (vice-captain), 10 Ivan Magomu (captain), 11 Daudi Semwami, 12 Pius Ogena, 13 Justin Kimono, 14 Solomon Okia, 15 Adrian Kasito.

Reserves: 16 Ronald Kanyanya, 17 Saul Kivumbi, 18 Collins Kimbowa, 19 Jacob Ochen, 20 Mark Omoding, 21 Aaron Ofoywroth, 22 Maxwell Ebonga, 23 Claude Otema

By Joseph Mary Ssempiira www.sportznow.ug writer.

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