Saturday Results
Final: Uganda 17-08 Madagascar
3rd Place Playoff: Zambia 00-15 Senegal
The Uganda Under 19 Rugby Cranes outfit earned tier 1A promotion on Saturday thanks to their hard earned 17-08 triumph against Madagascar in the Confederation of African Rugby U19 Tier 1B competition at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, Kampala.
Madagascar, that made the final against hosts Uganda, after a 43-00 thrashing of Zambia in the semi finals on Wednesday, only managed the first penalty of the match, later trailing into the second half when Toky Falimanana Robison scored their first and only try of the match.
The Island Republic’s troop labored holding off a determined Cranes’ team but little could be reached as Coach Robert Seguya’s side scored two tries accompanied with two conversions and a penalty.
Despite getting sin binned in the second half, Cranes fly half Ivan Magomu replicated his brilliant performance he had in the midweek semi final, when Uganda beat Senegal 23-12 to book a final’s slot.
Magomu kicked the ball perfectly through the uprights to convert Puis Ogena’s try in the first half before his good second half penalty kick that extended Cranes lead to a 10-03 score.
Okia Solomon’s try granted another opportunity for Magomu towards the tip of the encounter and the Pirates’ star did not disappoint, sealing victory that came along with a trophy and promotion from tier 1B to a better and more competitive tier 1A for Uganda.