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Uganda beat Kenya to win 2015 regional Elgon Rugby Cup

Xinhua, June 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Rugby Cranes are the 2015 regional Elgon Cup winners after defeating a strong Kenyan team 30-25 in the return leg played here on Saturday

Coach Robert Seguya' s team needed just four points to win and went on to win 47-45 on aggregate to lift the trophy after several years of waiting.

Uganda opened the scores with a penalty by Chris Lubanga to lead 03-00 but the visitors closed the gap with Kennedy Andola's penalty to level.

Cranes pushed for a try in succession, reaping a penalty instead in Kenya's 22 for a well taken penalty by Kevin Makmot. With 06-03 home lead Uganda, the losers of the first leg in Kenya, conceded the first try of the game after Felix Wanjala crushed over beyond the try line. Andola missed the conversion but Kenya were at it again later on with their second try, Andola kicking through the upright this time round.

A first half dominated by Kenya closed out 06-18 with the visitors in control having made two quick tries as the half closed. Joseph Aredo brightened Cranes chances at restart when he ran through the Kenya back-line to touch at the right corner flag. Chris Lubanga converted even though Cranes were still lagging on a 13-18 score.

Charles Omondi's constant infringement reduced Kenya's outfit on the turf to 14 men and that's when the home side capitalized. Just after Cyrus Wathum had come on for Cranes, Scott Oluoch muscled through the Kenyan defense to score close to the left upright.

Uganda eventually grabbed the lead after Lubanga's brilliant conversion at 20-18. Charles Uhuru later impressed for a brilliant pass to Marvin Odongo who won a penalty for the hosts. Chris Lubanga scored the kick before converting Martial Tchumkam's try later on.

Kenya replied with a late try thanks to Abeka's efforts and even though Andola converted, Uganda held on to win the Elgon Cup. "This is a very sweet win for us," said Seguya after the match. Endi