Summary:
The 2023 Central Region Women's XVs championship began with three title challengers; record champions Thunderbirds, most recent Uganda Cup champions Avengers, and current national XVs champions Black Pearls.
Now Thunderbirds and Black Pearls stand alone.
In Ugandan rugby, to determine a tournament’s winner, the elimination method is employed. First, teams are sorted by strength on paper, and then the remaining ones knock each other out one by one until the last team standing takes it all.
Usually, the championship is undecided until the final weekend but sometimes, barring a miracle of heavenly proportions, the champion is known with a few matches left to play.
The 2023 Central Region Women’s XVs championship began with three title challengers; record champions Thunderbirds, most recent Uganda Cup champions Avengers, and current national XVs champions Black Pearls.
As it stands, with just two rounds of six played, Avengers are already out of contention. Their tormentors, Black Pearls and Thunderbirds, whom they lost to at home in Entebbe, 19-08 and 12-00, in the first and second rounds respectively, still have one hand each on the trophy.
This weekend, they will face off in the early kickoff at Kyadondo to determine whose wrist will be slapped off the trophy.
Key Players To Watch:
Both teams are not short of experienced players within their ranks; Black Pearls’ Charlotte Mudoola (25 caps) and Thunderbirds’ Winnie Atyang (23 caps) are the two most capped Lady Rugby Cranes players. Mudoola’s halfback pair Helen Buteme (retired from national duty with 14 caps) is former coach and captain of the Lady Rugby Cranes.
At the front row, Thunderbirds’ Irene Nzige and Black Pearls’ Peace Mirembe will wage a fierce battle. Nzige, especially, is a quiet operator in close quarters and strong at scrummages.
Black Pearls hooker Jenipher Musanabera’s credentials as a rising star will be tested by Yvonne Najjuma. Najjuma, whose nickname and Twitter handle is “Powerhouse”, is a tried and tested enforcer and is currently top of the scorers’ charts. Musanabera has also raised her hand as a potential leader and was co-captain in the cancelled match against Ewes last week.
To get the scoreboard ticking, Black Pearls have options out wide, led by speedster Emilly Lekuru. She scored two tries and was player of the match in Entebbe on the opening matchday. Asha Nakityo, who was, on the following matchday, also player of the match in Entebbe, is Thunderbirds’ linchpin.
Some people may say that it is too early to call but I am confident that the victorious team after full-time at Kyadondo tomorrow evening will go on to clinch the championship. And if I may add, for a touch of class, do so unbeaten.