In a nail-biting affair, Uganda’s Lady Cranes have defeated Kenya Lionesses 19-14 to advance to the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s final.
The Lady Cranes came out all guns blazing from kickoff, with Grace Nabaggala’s crunching tackle forcing the Kenyans into a handling error.
From Uganda’s scrum, scrumhalf Juliet Nandawula decided to go to the short side, to find Peace Lekuru. Lekuru cut back inside to offload to Nabaggala, who went below the posts to give Uganda the opening try of the game. Tina Akello’s conversion was good to bring the score to 07-00 for Uganda.
Uganda was once again dominant on the restart, this time Suzan Adong stealing the ball from the Kenyans, who let it bounce.
Uganda then got a penalty in the 5-meter zone of the Kenyans, and Lekuru was there to scratch and couldn’t be stopped by the Kenyans. This time the conversion from Akello swayed wide as the Lady Cranes cruised to a 12-point lead.
Kenya Lionesses finally composed themselves before the end of the first half, stringing together passes from side to side until a gap opened up for Freshia Oduor to score a try for the hosts. Sinaida Mokoya’s conversion went over to end the first period 12-07.
In the second half, Uganda’s quick taps kept punishing the Kenyans, but they stayed patient in defence.
Second-half substitute Moreen Muritu turned over the ball for Kenya, handing it to Mokoya, who put a kick in behind the Ugandans. Nandawula beat the oncoming Kenyans to it, but her pass to Racheal Mufuwa out of desperation went ahead. Kenya then capitalised on that scrum with veteran Janet Akello going over under the posts for the hosts’ second converted try of the game to bring the score to 14-12 for the ladies in green.
With the clock nearing the red, Uganda got the opportunity to get back in the game, but Lekuru’s carry through the middle was well read by the Kenyans, who held her up to turn over the ball.
However, the Kenyans did not have the awareness to kick the ball out after time was up, deciding to play on and handing possession back to Uganda.
Uganda’s Nabaggala then broke the line and was chased down by 3 Lionesses, but she managed to release and pick up the ball. The Kenyans then attempted to hold her up, but forward Faith Livoi incorrectly joined the maul, leading to a Uganda penalty.
With the try line in sight, Lekuru tapped the ball and carried it over for the game-winning try after the hooter. Bushira Namutebi’s conversion sealed the deal for Uganda.
The Lady Cranes 7s will face the Tunisia Ladies in the final of the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s, with a trophy and a ticket to the HSBC Division III on the line.