Uganda leapfrogs Kenya in IRB rankings

At 16:15 hrs the Kenyans run unto the pitch and were cheered by their sizeable fans many of whom study in Ugandan universities; the Uganda Cranes then thundered unto the pitch looking resplendent in their all black outfits with the national flag colors splashed across their ample chests. The chorus from the home fans hit a crescendo.

Kenya kicked-off to the east with purpose dominating the early possession, making several raids and camping in the Uganda 22 and hardly gave their hosts a look in at the ball. After several rucks and mauls, Uganda succumbed and gave away a penalty which was nailed by Peter Mutahi, giving the Kenyans a 0-3 lead. Uganda Cranes then responded dealing the Kenyans a sucker punch in a ruthless counter attack, when Captain Adrian Bukenya chased down a loose ball and brilliantly squared (even Steven Gerrard would have been envious of that pass) it for Fly half Edmond Tumusiime who was arriving at knots, the pick up was good and the run for the line was even better culminating in a try at the far corner for Edmond Tumusiime, the conversion was missed by Anthony Kinene. 5-3 to Uganda.

The try seemed to have brought the Cranes into their element as they begun to dictate the play; enter fly half Edmond Tumusiime who had an incredible game unleashing some jaw dropping 'silky skills' ,creating space when one thought it was impossible, the Kenyans completely had no answer to this young fly half. Though the momentum had swung to the Cranes they preferred the safer option of territorial kicking as opposed to playing the Kenyans at their own running game. With Edmond Tumusiime pulling the strings in the mid field an overlap was created in the Kenya 22 line resulting in 2nd centre Timothy Mudoola off loading the ball to a flying Bonny Morro who finished off the move with a hand off at the far corner. Anthony Kinene missed the conversion to bring the scores to 10-5 in favor of Uganda. By this time the Kenyans were finding it difficult as their backs just couldn't break the Ugandan line and were continuously knocked back by some crunching tackles. Another foray into the Kenyan half resulted into the try of the game, for what looked like telepathy to some was actually superb on-pitch communication; off a ruck flanker Robert Seguya cross kicked (after a signal from 8th man Adrian Bukenya),the Kenyans could only look on in bewilderment as Uganda Captain Adrian Bukenya raced unchallenged to score the third try of the game, scrum half Anthony Kinene again missed the conversion scores were 15-3 to Uganda. The crowd could almost sniff victory and started baying for blood. Many a pretty girl in the crowd started the all too familiar chant ''Gimme another one just like the other one..'' in reference to another try and the boys responded. A litany of lateral passes between the Uganda backs released debutant Richard Lumu who tiptoed through a tackle to ground the ball for Uganda's fourth try, Anthony Kinene missed the conversion and the half ended 20-3 in favor of Uganda.

The pep talk from their coach at half time seems to half lifted the Kenyans, as they came back into the half stronger, they switched their style of play and started using their heavier forwards to lead their attacks. The Kenyans mauled and rucked impressively denying the Ugandans ball possession and keeping them on the back foot. The Cranes defended like their lives depended on it, putting in several big hits, the back row was superb at the break down and special mention goes out to the defensive work put in by boxer turned rugger- Robert Seguya, Moses Soita and Ronald Mwisaka. A penalty given away by the Kenyans was punished by Anthony Kinene who nailed it to bring the scores to 23-3

It was in the 55th minute that the incident of the game occurred when rampaging open flanker-Moses Soita floored the Kenyan full back (he must have been knocked back about 5 meters) with an outrageous hand off and then in a show of braggadocio he executed a perfect goose step that would have even made the great David Campese envious-only for the Zambian referee to stop the unfolding spectacle with an illegal challenge call and sin bin Soita. With only 14 men on the pitch the Cranes further temporarily lost their fly half in a big tackle and he had to be stretchered off for treatment; as the Uganda technical bench fidgeted with a suitable substitute the Kenyans took advantage of the shortage of numbers and their huge forwards 'calvary charged' to score a cross over try that was converted by Peter Mutahi to bring the scores to 23-10.Uganda quickly fought back and went ahead 26-10 after a drop kick from blind side flanker Robert Seguya.

Kenya kept up the pressure with their rampaging forwards mauling and rucking in at the Uganda 22 but the hosts defended for long periods, at the death Uganda won a penalty which was nailed from 30 meters by Scrum half Anthony Kinene and it was the last play of the game as the Zambian referee blew the final whistle for a 29-10 victory to Uganda.

An obviously disappointed Kenyan coach Charles Ngovi said he lost several of his starting backline to the IRB 7s in Edinburgh but promised to defeat Uganda by an even bigger margin in the second leg in Kenya.

New Technical Director of the Cranes David Dobella said he was impressed with the skill of the Ugandans and also their defense against bigger opposition and advised Uganda will have to improve on her place kicking, line outs and also mentioned the score line could have been bigger but some players over dwelt on the ball.

Uganda's next international will be when on 8th June in Nairobi when the 7s team takes part in the Safari 7s.

Match Statistics

Halftime: Uganda 20 Kenya 3
Venue: Kyadondo RFC, Kampala
Date: 26th May 2007
Weather: Cloudy with a slight wind
Attendance: 1,500 spectators

Scores

Tries

Uganda: Edmond Tumusiime, Bonny Morro, Adrian Bukenya and Richard Lumu.
Kenya: Pascal Wethuka Conversions: Peter Mutahi(Kenya) Penalties: Anthony Kinene-Uganda(2),Peter Mutahi-Kenya(1) Yellow cards: Moses Soita(Uganda)

Man of the match:
This was a very hard one to choose as the Cranes played as a unit, perfect team work however some players were exceptional; Robert Seguya had one of his best games in a Cranes shirt, he tackled ferociously and showed he is still a back row player of repute; Edmond Tumusiime was simply sublime, he dictated the tempo of the game, he made his highly regarded opposite number-Lavin Asego look pedestrian; however open side flanker-basketball player turned rugger Moses Soita just takes it he was in almost every breakdown, cleared all his line outs, stopped all his opponents in the first hit and his industry was exceptional-he was everywhere!

Play of the day:

Soita's stupendous hand off on Kenyan full back-Eric Situma had created an huge gap that was surely going to be exploited for another try only for the referee's whistle to spoil it. Therefore play of the day goes to Captain Adrian Bukenya's well worked try off a Robert Seguya cross kick. The Kenyans did not see it coming.

Uganda Team Sheet
1.Fred Mudoola(UTL Kobs) 2.Deo Tumuhairwe(G4S Pirates) 3.Kenneth Mutabaruka(UTL Kobs) 4.Victor Wadia(UTL Kobs) 5.Ronald Mwisaka(MTN Heathens) 6.Robert Seguya(MTN Heathens)
7.Moses Soita(G4S Pirates) 8.Adrian Bukenya - Captain(UTL Kobs) 9.Anthony Kinene(G4S Pirates) 10.Edmond Tumusiime(UTL Kobs) 11.Bonny Morro(Rhinos)
12.Tonny Luggya(Hima Cement Impis) 13.Timothy Mudoola-Vice Captain(UTL Kobs) 14.Richard Lumu(UTL Kobs) 15.Brian Tabaruka(MTN Heathens) 16.Solomon Mawanda(G4S Pirates) 17.Bobby Bibagamba(G4S Pirates) 18.Ronald Adigasi(Rhinos) 19.Roger Rukundo(UTL Kobs) 20. Allan Masiko(UTL Kobs) 21.Felix Lubega(G4S Pirates) 22.Emma Ochaya(Rhinos)

Team Management
Coach:Yayiiro Kasasa;Assistant Coach:Peter Magona ;Team Manager:Henry Musoke Team Doctor:Arthur Kwizera