The Uganda Rugby Cranes were 59-10 winners over Botswana in the last match of the 2015 Africa Rugby Tier 1B tournament on Saturday and a total of nine tries were scored by the hosts for a famous victory.
Man of the match Micheal Wokorach touched thrice, eighth-man Scott Oluoch twice and flank Ronald Mussajjagulanyago, wings Justin Kimono, Lawrence Ssebuliba, plus Davis Kiwalabye all crossed the white chalk once for the biggest margin win registered in the whole tournament.
Kawowo Sports’ Edgar Kazibwe takes you through the nine sensational tries that ensured Rugby Cranes cross over from tier 1B to tier 1A.
The first try came just after 6 minutes of exchange back and it was vice captain and centre Micheal Wokorach who opened the scores with a scintillating run to touch for Uganda’s first try.
The Heathen’s RFC player broke through the middle, sidestepping two into Botswana’s 22 meters to find his way and the mammoth crowds went into wild celebrations off when he touched.Botswana replied with a penalty conversion thanks to Edward Oostheiuzen but Cranes scored two tries in succession through Ronald Musajjagulanyago and Justin Kimono.
Lawrence Ssebuliba was offloaded to in left lane and his blistering pace produced a run that covered 20 meters before passing to James Odong.
Odong delivered a brilliant one to scrum half Makmot who released to Ronald Mussajjagulanyo through the uprights for Cranes second.
Scott Olouch was the architect of Cranes third when he skillfully chipped the oval-shapped ball across, to the right side of field over several advancing Botswana men.
Mussajjagulanyo lost grip of the first touch in the air but Justin Kimono snatched it in swift motion to amazingly dive past the try line for arguably one of the best tries of the tournament.
Uganda counted the fourth when Chris Lubanga made up for his lost presence of the with another brilliant exchange across the field to wing Ssebuliba.
The on form player crushed over in the far left corner to mark another impressive performance on the national team.
After Makmot’s conversion, Cranes seemed to have been given the magic dose and after successive good scrums and it was off one in the right corner that left the crowds singing praises of Oluoch. He had delivered Cranes fifth after muscling his way through the scrum.
Even though Makmot failed to convert, Wokorach got the better of the Botswana back line again for the sixth try courtesy of another run as he danced away opponents in the middle. The Vice captain had just extended Uganda’s scores and first half closed out with Cranes leading 38-03.
Olouch was at it again at restart as he followed up charging John Wandicho in the final quarter of the field. Olouch received for touch past the try line after Wandicho had been halted by Botswana’s last man standing.
Makmot kicked through before Wokorach replicated his impressive first half performance in the first half with another try at the far left corner before the mesmerized local crowd.
Botswana rose to their first try of the game later on and Katse Tefho slotted the ball between the uprights to reduce the gap to 52-10 but replacement Davis Kiwalabye sent the crowds into a frenzy again.
He solely got sandwiched between Botswana men as he advanced beyond the try line in the far right corner. His hard earned touch marked Cranes’ ninth for a 59-10 final score.
Uganda Rugby Cranes now retain the rights to call 2015 a year of great achievements after clinching the Elgon Cup and earning Africa Rugby Tier 1A promotion with in a period of two months.
Africa Rugby Tier 1B Final Day results
Uganda 59-10 Botswana
Madagascar 33-24 Mauritius
Ivory Coast 22-19 Senegal
