The Safari 7s started on a thorny note for Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s. What seemed to be the easiest encounter of the pool, on paper, turned out to be a nightmare when the Ugandans went 12 points down in under two minutes.
The tournament was never going to be a walk in the park for the side that is largely inexperienced, with 5 debutants on the team sheet. Allan Olango, one of the more seasoned campaigners on the side, pulled back a try for the Ugandans, but the inexperience kicked back in.
With half the halftime hooter gone, the Ugandans decided to play on. A penalty for Nyati being offside gave the Ugandans a decision to make. Scratch and kick out for half time and regroup, quick tap and play on, exit their half with a touch finder and set up, or their favourite, CALL FOR THE SCRUM.
They called for a scrum, the ball was turned over, Nyati’s free kick. Bryan Oduor restarted and saw the acres of land at the back, which he exploited by putting a kick in behind.
That converted try ideally sealed Uganda’s fate, with Daniel Otim dancing his way to the try line in the second half, but that wasn’t enough, as the Nyati varsity boys added an unconverted try to finish off the game 24-12.
The Uganda Men now prepare to take on Kenya 7s champions, KCB Rugby, followed by Shogun, to complete the pool action.