The four National 7s stops have served up four winners so far, in both the men’s and women’s competitions, with the Black Pirates and the Black Pearls being the latest recipient of these honours respectively.
The Rujumba 7s were played at the Kings Park Arena, the homeground of the eventual winners, in honour of fallen Black Pirate, Henry Rujumba.
The tournament didn’t go down without its usual flare, fan fare and of course the drama. On Day 1, the Walukuba Barbarians embarrassed Pirates with a 17-00 thrashing in Round 3, but the hosts recovered and avenged when it mattered, in the final.
On Day 2, the hosts showed intention and grit, snatching a last second victory from the jaws of sworn rivals, the Heathens, thus advancing to the semi finals.
In the other quarterfinal fixtures, the Buffaloes made sure to keep Rhinos out of the top 4 spots, while the KOBs fell short against the Hippos. The largest winning points margin came from the Barbarians who comfortably laid aside the Rams in a 15-07 result, reflecting the growing competitiveness of the National 7s Series.
The Black Pearls on the other hand shook off an early set back they suffered against the Thunderbirds on Day 1, to avenge that loss and come out victors in the final, thanks to a Lydia Namabiro brace and a try from Bushira Namutebi. That victory left the Walukuba Titans and the She Wolves as the only 2 core sides that are yet to win a National 7s circuit.
In the men’s category, teams like the KOBs, Jinja Hippos and Rhinos, who have been circuit winners in the recent past, are yet to win one this year, which makes for stiff competition in the remaining 3 National 7s circuits.