Kololo S.S and Hana Mixed School reached the finals of the U19 Uganda School’s rugby tournament on Saturday thanks to their wins against Namilyango S.S and St. Mary’s College Kisubi respectively in the semi finals at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.
Gideon Mutyaba’s penalty elevated defending champions Kololo S.S to grab the lead in the 56th minute for a memorable 16-13 win over Namilyango College booking a final’s slot against Hana Mixed.
Eddy Kayima scored the opening try at the left corner flag for Kololo before Namilyango responded successively with a penalty.
Kololo’s Bashir Wepukhulu then crossed the try line to extend their lead by 7 points before a brawl broke out between players and student fans in the stands.
Kololo took their lead to a 10 point gap thanks to Gideon Mutyaba’s penalty at 13-03. Namilyango closed out the first half with a penalty to cut the points gap by 3.
Tomath Muyanja managed a drop goal for Kololo in the second half with Christopher Nsubuga crashing over for Namilyango,s try which Edgar Sseruwagi converted for a 16-13 final score.
Hana Mixed School defeated St.Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) 20-06 in the first match of the U19 category to make the finals.
Ssenfuma’s penalty for Hana Mixed a few minutes before halftime, closed the early 5 point try gap SMACK had created. Kevin Keremundu notched a second half penalty to help Hana snatch the lead at 05-06.
Hana continued to pile immense pressure on SMACK’s back line for a try and a penalty scare is the best they could manage.
The side however did not give up the fight until they increased their lead courtesy of Olet’s second try of the encounter. Kevin Keremundu converted the extras.
Hana further capitalized on infringement in the final half and it was Robert Masendi who sealed the school’s win with a heartbreaking penalty in the final quarter of the match.
Smack coach Paul Ssekate congratulated Hana on their win against his boys but also advised Uganda Rugby Union to streamline the regulations governing the competition.
“We lost and I congratulate them (Hana) but something must done to streamline this age group in schools rugby,” Sekate told New Vision.
“It hurts to see you bring a genuine team and others don’t,” he added.
Kololo S.S will meet 2011 and 2013 champions Hana Mixed in a repeat of last year’s final. Kololo claimed the honours after their 10-11 win over the same side that was being handled by coach Robert Seguya who is expected to take charge of Heathens next season.
Results
U-17
SMACK 8-18 Budo
U-15 Namilyango 22-00 Makerere
SMACK 10-00 Budo
U-19 Hana Mixed 20-06 St. Mary’s College Kisubi
Kololo S.S 16-13 Namilyango College
