Elgon Cup 1st Leg Result:
- Uganda 18-23 Kenya
Simba’s stand-in skipper Darwin Mukidza was again tormentor in chief as Kenya defeated Uganda Rugby Cranes in the first leg of the Elgon Cup.
In a game played at Legends, Rugby Cranes started strong putting Kenya on the back foot inside the opening couple of minutes and missed an early penalty.
In the fifth minute, Mukidza got the first points on the board for the visitors from a penalty and moments later the hosts were reduced to 14 men when Mavin Odong was sent to the sin bin.
It was not long before Samson Onsomu dived over the chalk for Simba’s first try of the game and Mukidza was flawless with the extras and Kenya led 10-00.
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On his return, Odong was over the line for Uganda’s first try to trim the lead to 5 before Philip Wokorach finally got his first kick right from a penalty and Uganda were within 2 points.
Kenya were awarded another penalty but they opted to kick for touch and moments later they were on the back foot. Lawrence Ssebuliba had a swift chip and chase before he was tackled but the tackler did not roll away and a penalty was awarded. Philip Wokorach made no mistake (and Uganda led for the first time 11-10) before fluffing the next one.
Half back Ivan Magomu (who combined well with his partner Ivan Kirabo) then chipped over the Kenyan backline for James Odong to touch down. Wokorach put on the extras and Uganda led 18-10 heading into the halftime break.
On return for the second half, Kenyans started strong and Martin Owilla touched down and Mukidza successfully converted to bring the score to 17-18.
The visitors twice cleared their lines before they started putting the pressure on Uganda which earned them a penalty and the skipper made no mistake to put the Simbas back in the lead.
Heathens’ Aaron Ofoyrwoth came on for Ivan Kirabo and got a yellow card almost instantly and Mukidza booted in the penalty to extend the lead to 23-18.