Sunday 9th October 2011
Venue: Kampala RUFC and Kyadondo RFC
Attendance: 1000 spectators
Pitch condition: Wet and muddy
Main Cup boys
Hana 31 Maseno 0
Plate Final
St. Peters Mumias 24 Budo 07
Girls:
Mbale 10 Kololo 5
Kasese 5 Kololo 10
Hana put up an enthralling performance to retain the independence schools 7s and in so doing won an unprecedented grand slam that includes the East African schools championship.
A day after Uganda national soccer team the Cranes came so close but just failed to qualify for the nations cup,Hana restored some national pride stopping celebrated Kenyan 7s schools Kakamega High School and Maseno High school to win the independence day 7s.This was the 9th edition of the Independence Cup, previous winners are Namilyango-3 trophies,Kyambogo,Macos, Budo,Kakamega and Hana -1 trophy each.
This year Zimbabwe’s Prince Edward, Ikerezi school from Rwanda and LTP from Burundi expressed interest in participating but organisors USRA were short of funds and could not host them. The tournament though still maintained its international feel with Kakamega High School, Saint Peter’s Mumias and Maseno high school from Kenya travelling for the tournament.
Defending champions Hana Mixed school with their star studded caste of players most of whom play their rugby in the holidays with the Kyadondo RFC academy sides, were the top seeds followed by Kenya schools 7s champions Maseno high school and Kenya Kenya schools 15s champions Kakamega High School. The seeding went as planned as all 3 teams easily qualified for the main cup semi finals. They were joined by Kyambogo College who upset Namilyango college. In the first semi final Kenya’s Maseno made light work of a spirited Kyambogo College, using their size and pace to run away with the game. The second semi final pitted defending champions Hana against Kakamega from Kenya. As had been the tale all through the tournament,Hana star player and under 19 full back Phillip ‘Ojus’ Wokorach took charge early scoring 2 brilliant center post tries that saw him cover no less than 70 meters as he left opponents chasing shadows. Kakamega to their credit did not give up scoring a try just before the half and tying the game at the death. The game went into sudden death as Hana who did not seem to have faith in their bench stuck with their fatigued first team. After 3 minutes of the sudden death first half, the teams were still dead locked but at the restart a series of powerful ball carries initiated by Hana captain Ronnie Musoke saw the defending champions drive into the Hana 22 meter zone. An attack from the base by fly half Ivan Magomu,saw him seal the game with a diving corner post try. A visibly relieved Hana celebrated their victory wildly while Maseno appeared confident after watching Kakamega push Hana all the way.
The highly anticipated final kicked off but not before the plate final where Kenya’s St Peter’s Mumias crushed Kings College Budo 24-7 in a one sided final. Before the finals both Hana Mixed school and Maseno sung their school anthems with allot of passion.
From the kick off Hana mixed school wasted no time as full back Phillip Wokorach released fly half Ivan Magomu who broke down the right flank and stepped off the right off leaving the cover defense in his wake for the first try.Maseno tried to respond but their attacks were repulsed by some huge shuddering hits that seemed to break their spirit.Branco Mangovia,Alfred Bijik and Ronnie Musoke of Hana put up an uncompromising defensive line that Maseno just could not break through. When Alfred Bijik was set up for the second try, it opened the flood gates as he scored 2 more tries. Not to be out done star full back Philip Wokorach got into the try count scoring yet another beauty from his bag of tricks, stepping and scything through the Maseno defense for a beautiful 70 meter try. In the end the final was so one sided,Hana resorted to allot of show boating as they toyed at will with the Maseno,the Kenyan schools 7s champions who are set to represent Kenya in the Dubai 7s-schools category.
Hana Mixed School thus announced their arrival as a force on the Uganda schools rugby scene winning all trophies this year ,including the East African schools championship. And full back Phillip Wokorach’s star continues to rise as many wonder how many more heights this kid can surpass.
In the girls’ category, Mbale Eagles’ emerged champion in a tournament played on a round robin basis. They were inspired by another revelation Tinah Ejang, who was voted player of the tournament. The Lady Cranes preparing for the CAR 7s/RWC qualifier in Botswana also played trial games against Green Hill in a game they lost but recovered to beat Mt.Masaba High school from Mbale.
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