There is a certain underrated experience that comes with watching women’s rugby in Uganda. Because the local clubs are few, every match is a star-studded cast of national team athletes whom one wouldn’t ordinarily get the chance to see playing together or against each other. This happens every Saturday week in, week out until the end of the season.
What a privilege, especially, for those of us in the Central Region from which over ninety per cent of the Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes are picked!
This week, Thunderbirds hosted Avengers at Kyadondo Rugby Club in the Central Regional Championship. Both teams have strong packs and contribute most of Uganda’s starters in test rugby – seven out of eight in the most recent tournament.
So as expected, it was a collision-intense match between the two teams. Both scored a try apiece but Thunderbirds edged Avengers by 11-05 courtesy of two Mary Kyoita penalties.
Thunderbirds’ try was scored in the first half by tighthead prop Patricia Anek at the back of quick phase play from a scrummage. That was typical of the Kyadondo-based outfit; by bulldozing their way through the defence.
Avengers tried to beat Thunderbirds at this their own game and failed miserably. Despite enjoying majority possession deep inside the opposition territory, the Entebbe-based club were unable to breach the first line of defence. They succeeded only once, in the second half, when Peace Lekuru combined with Lillian Nakiganda on the counterattack from a kick. The two backs were able to exploit the open field by running into space and keeping the ball alive.
This is what Black Pearls did the previous matchday when they beat Thunderbirds by 15-17. Black Pearls, who are the current sevens champions, used their fast backs to spread the pitch wide and kicked in open play to get out of their territory.
With the benefit of hindsight right now, this contrast in strategy could help to explain why the Lady Rugby Cranes lost to Kenya Lionesses during last year’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup – Pool B at Wankulukuku despite fielding a more experienced team.
Uganda, like Avengers, tried to play a physical game against a country known worldwide to be powerful, like Thunderbirds, and athletic. And when that failed, they had no Plan B.
Zambia, like Black Pearls, showed against both Uganda and Kenya that such teams’ defence structures can be unlocked. By keeping the ball in play, increasing the pace of the match, and using the full width of the pitch.
How our local rugby clubs play is a perfect reflection of how our national team plays. And if we want our national team to get the edge over other nations, at our local clubs is a suitable platform to experiment.
