The National 7s series, as we have come to know them, are a marathon, not a sprint. Winning a circuit comes trophy, medals and prize money, but most importantly, those precious 22 points.
This cumulative process rewards the most consistent sides, as the Jinja Hippos showed in 2022, a historical fact that is well alive to all the competing sides in this year’s series. Leonard Lubambula, the coach of the Walukuba Barbarians, highlighted this aspect in a post match interview with Kawowo Sports.
While the Hippos lifted the trophy that year, the Barbarians were getting relegated, at least on paper.
Fortunes turn fast in 7s Rugby, as the Barbarians won their first 7s series circuit at the Mileke Border 7s in 2023, just a year after they had almost lost core status. Now with the first circuit trophy in hand, the Barbarians are oozing confidence, and want to continue with this winning streak.
“Last year we knocked on the doors, we were in a few finals, we never won any, but now we are back on our feet stronger. A few players weren’t around last year, but now they are back into our camp, which is amazing,” noted coach Lubambula.
The Heathens, who are the defending champions of the National 7s Series, started the 2024 series in 5th place at the Entebbe 7s. Although appearing in the first final of the series this year would be a win in itself, this is not enough for the Kyadondo side, as assistant 7s captain Trevor Ochan noted post-interview with Kawowo Sports.
“Last year we started in 5th [place] at Entebbe but we improved and won some circuits, then the title,” he remarked.
In the Women’s category, the Thunderbirds, who are the Coronation 7s champions, go back to Gulu to try and retain the trophy they won last year. They are looking unstoppable at the moment, with some of their players like Samiya Ayikoru and Lona Sanda Amoli rediscovering their form and tapping into their try scoring abilities.
Four of the 8 top try scorers in the women’s category are from the Thunderbirds, but they also possess silent arsenal like Angella Nanyonjo and Yvonne Najjuma firing from the middle of the pack.