2011 ANNUAL FANZONE BEACH RUGBY LOOMS LARGE

Beach Rugby is just another growing activity to add to the burgeoning interest in ‘Leisure Rugby’, with a big event going on this weekend at Sports beach Entebbe. The Tournament is organized by Ugrugbyfanzone and supported by sponsors Nile Special beer, Rwenzori water, Capital radio, Comtel Media, Dimension data and G4S Security.

As well as the obvious variety and change of scenery to your standard game of rugby, beach rugby brings some different components to our game. With the strength and stamina sapping nature of sand providing a great source of fitness combined with the rapid changes from attacking to defending, the game is a night mare for the Brian Makalama’s and Dennis Murithi’s of this world. So for those who are too delicate for the real thing, Sports beach Entebbe is the place to be this Saturday.

This is rugby for the fragile. The games are short, the action is fast, and a touch is as good as tackle. When you have the ball, you run toward the try line until an opposing player touches you with both hands. At that point play starts again and you hand the ball to your team mate. This can only happen six times before possession is lost. You can pass the ball, of course, but you can’t pass forward, and if your teammate drops the ball, possession goes to the other side.

There are other odd rules, but it’s not a very complex game. With no tackles, scrums, or kicks, it’s not much like real rugby. It’s faster, more graceful, and less brutal. It’s a ton of fun and a hell of a workout.

Do not step on a little kid like I did the first time I tried beach rugby. The beach rugby players are from all age groups and sexes, different nationalities and skin color. The last time I played a 40 something year old referee Ramsey Olinga Fidel Ndir neared the try line, he got a look of desperation. He dashed, heart pounding, joints squealing, and I read his thoughts by the look on his face:

..ten meters..

I’m

..five meters…

not

…touchdown!

Old!

..

We all laughed at him, except his 21-year-old scantily clad female defender, who swore she had made a tackle at the two-meter mark.

Beach is a fun place for families to spend a sunny day. Children can splash their parents, run around in the sand. Obrien, Peter Magona, Athiyo and Gamma Nyango can work on their tan and/or end up with a burn. To cap it all up will be the big hits off the pitch from Platinum DJs, the illest Deejays in town, lots of  beer, delicious barbecues and sizzling women.

In beach rugby, interference is called shepherding, and it’s strictly forbidden. An offensive team mate can’t run in front of the ball carrier. The whole team has to form a line with the carrier in the lead. I guess that forces the ball handler to rely on his own skills, but I think it also removes some of the teamwork. Three team mates moving in a triangle formation could burst through a defensive line with ease. But when interference is illegal, it’s just one man against the entire defending team. The rest of the offense is just running along waiting to catch the ball.

This Saturday I’ll return to Sports beach and charge back onto the sandy field of battle. This time I’ll stay on-side. I’ll complete my passes. I’ll guard my opponents. I might even tackle a little kid. I’ll have a hearty laugh, drink, eat and maybe get a hot babe’s number.

Last year’s prize money was won by the Tag Rugby Trust graduates but this year the high flying Lady Cranes have registered and promised to leave no stone unturned, threatening to suit up in skimpy Speedo body hugging tights! Can you stand the heat???!!!!!!!

So there you have it. Fanzone Annual beach rugby looms large this Saturday 17^th at Sports beach Entebbe between Aero and Lido beach. Be There or Be There…I’ll be watching and looking for a good tourney review.

Catch me if you can!

RSVP: 0777912029/0702234545