2 wins and 100% defence - Kitaka 7s

We faced our rivals from across the road twice during the Kitaka 7s on 18th September. We won the first game without breaking a sweat with Regina showing marvellous pace to cross the try line twice. Emma came off the bench to replace Regina and effortlessly rounded her opponents to dot down beneath the posts. I (Helen) missed the conversions for Regina's tries (just marginally I should say) but got the conversion for Emma's try. Final score was 17 - 00.

Hellen Gizamba aka Sexy (captain)

Brenda Kayiyi

Beatrice Atim (Fortunate Irankunda)

Charlotte Mudoola

Claire Anena

Helen Buteme

Regina Athieno (Emmanuella Oroma)

Fortunate Irankunda

Emmanuella Oroma

Irene Namapii

Esther Nangobi

Aisha Bahhani

We won the second game 5 - 0 courtesy of a try by me. Charlotte missed the conversion. We actually played with more intensity in the second game but we made too many knock ons and basic errors that killed our attacking game. We lost the patience that we had in our first game and we too desperate to score. Our our attacking line was not deep enough so we failed to get any momentum in attack. Our defence was great though with Beatrice and Sexy continuously putting in big hits that had the crowd screaming.

Hellen Gizamba aka Sexy (captain)

Brenda Kayiyi

Fortunate Irankunda (Beatrice Atim)

Charlotte Mudoola

Claire Anena

Helen Buteme

Regina Athieno

Beatrice Atim

Emmanuella Oroma

Irene Namapii

Esther Nangobi

Aisha Bahhani

We've already won the 7s circuit but 7s at Namboole is up next on 25th September. We want to take this thing without conceding any points.

Gina running for her life. She was not caught and she scored a try.

Claire makes a tackle.

Sexy makes a tackle.

Black Panthers versus Thunderbirds at Makerere 7s

After a long break we faced our rivals from across the road on 11th September, in a 10 aside game during the URU 7s tournament held at Makerere. Due to time constraints our game was really short. 3 minutes each way running time. We were just getting warmed up when the game ended. We won 5 nil courtesy of a try from Charlotte. She danced her way through 4 birds to score out wide. My (Helen) conversion stopped just short of the posts. It was a game we dominated and we really should have scored more tries. We take too long to settle into games - something we'll need to remedy. Otherwise, great stuff from us and we're looking to up the tempo this Saturday at the Kitaka Memorial 7s at Kampala Rugby Club. This time we'll be playing 7s. We're entering 2 teams and I hope the birds will enter 2 teams as well so we have a four team tournament. We also managed to recruit a new player - Kjersti (pronounced Chursty) Garfors. She's a medical student from Norway and will be with us for 6 weeks. She's absolutely tiny - only slighter bigger than Regina.

Fortunate Irankunda

Brenda Kayiyi

Loy Mbabazi

Hellen Gizamba aka Sexy (captain)

Beatrice Atim

Regina Athieno

Claire Anena

Helen Buteme

Charlotte Mudoola

Emmanuella Oroma

Aisha Bahhani

Irene Namapii

Kjersti Garfors

Grace Athieno

Claire being tackled.

Wazee game - 28th August

Ok. So come 28th the Wazee couldn't raise a full 15 aside team so we started off playing 10s then later on 12s.

The first half was great. We held them and they had 5 tries and we had 3. Then the second half was a disaster as we kept spilling the ball at he kickoffs. They scored 5 tries off our mistakes in the kick off. We then pulled ourselves together and our fitness started to show in the last 15 minutes of the second half as we scored 3 tries. Final score was 65 - 32. 2 tries each from Emma, Charlotte and Regina with the sole conversion by me.

Fortunate Irankunda

Dominica Kulia

Loy Mbabazi

Hellen Gizamba (captain)

Gladies Ayio-Rwoth

Brenda Kayiyi

Aisha Bahhani

Beatrice Atim

Regina Athieno

Irene Namapii

Claire Anena

Helen Buteme

Charlotte Mudoola

Esther Nangobi

Rosemary

Joan Andika

Emmanuella Oroma

James

Post game quotes:

Mike 'undertaker' Wandera: I could not believe it when I saw you ladies playing. You're so strong and fit and aggressive. It's unbelievable how you took on the men without flinching - when is the next game? I think I want to play.

Solo 'mercenary': You guy. I couldn't move for 3 days after that game. You girls are fit and hard. There was a winger who stepped me that I couldn't even chase after her. I had to let her go.

Mabonga: You girls played very well. Don't underestimate yourselves. As much as we are unfit, we are still men -we're harder and we're faster and we are also much stronger so don't feel bad that you lost.

Name withheld: Someone squeezed my crown jewels and put me out of action for a couple of nights. You girls are vicious.

Wazee game - 14th August

So we had a 15 aside game against the Wazee on 14th August. They had 2 mercenaries aged below 30 years but it was a great game - big hits, great runs. Final score was 37 - 15. The gap is closing.

The Wazee were so battered and bruised and most could not get to work on Monday while others were unable to jog for 2 weeks after that game.

Fortunate Irankunda

Dominica Kulia

Loy Mbabazi

Hellen Gizamba

Gladies Ayio-Rwoth

Brenda Kayiyi

Aisha Bahhani

Beatrice Atim

Regina Athieno

Irene Namapii

Claire Anena

Prossy Nakakande

Helen Buteme

Charlotte Mudoola

James

Some post game quotes:

Isma: I must confess I was in alot of pain on Saturday after the game, but iam fine cant wait for the rematch on 28th I need to make up for the mistakes, but it was a pleasure plying against you girls.

Kyagaba: Body aches. I couldn't turn in my bed ... some chic kept kusunsling (pinching) me in the pack. My wife saw the body marks ... I had not told her I was going to play rugby that afternoon ... I needed a massage, you guy, I will have to train next time: these things of going live without preparing the body ...

Guma: Thanks for the great game. As you said the gap is closing, the panthers are really improving and chief they are very aggressive and are not very soft either. Come 28th though you'll be in for a surprise we are going to reorganise ourselves and play a more structured game. Your girls have been hanging around the PIRATES for too long, they have even adapted some funny habits in the mauls.

Return leg Elgon Cup

Ok. I've neglected the blog yet again. For the return leg of the Elgon cup: Lady Cranes departed on 8th July at 9am and were involved in a nasty bus accident in Jinja. By some miracle everyone in the bus survived and apart from some knocks and bruises there were no serious injuries so the players opted to continue with their journey to Nairobi. Another bus picked them up and they arrived in Nairobi on 9th July at 4am.

Both the women's coaches opted to abandon the women at the 11th hour. URU was unaware that the coaches were not travelling and therefore had not made plans for a replacement. Come match day the Lady Cranes took to the pitch coachless but determined to win. We started off well and kept the Kenyans pinned in their half for the first 20 minutes of the game. Good enough along the way, former Lady Cranes 7s coach, David Mutaka (Mutaks) stepped in to help - it was tough for him as he didn't know three quarters of the players but he did a great job considering. However, we lost steam and the Kenyans got back into the game. We lost 16 - 8 (try by Emmanuella Oroma and penalty by Christine Kizito). And lost the Elgon Cup for the second running on aggregate (21 - 16).

Lady Cranes won 8 - 5

Ok, so Regina got to start and although she only played 20 minutes she made a fantastic try saving tackle. Kenyan winger intercepted the ball in their 22 and scampered to our 22. She looked like she'd go all the way but Gina chased and got her in our 22.

We won 8 - 5. Try by Fortunate and penalty by Christine. We could have done better. Yes, a win is a win but really ...

The return match is this Saturday (10th July). We travel by bus to Nairobi tomorrow.

Squad to Nairobi.

Forwards

Fortunate Irankunda (Black Panthers)

Warry Nambirige (Thunderbirds)

Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)

Jackie Musoke (Thunderbirds)

Evelyn Aweku (Vice captain - Thunderbirds)

Hellen Gizamba (Black Panthers)

Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds)

Aaliyah Adania (Thunderbirds)

Rebecca Akwenyu (Black Panthers)

Sylvia Ajok (Black Panthers)

Josephine Namayega (Black Panthers)

Backs

Regina Athieno (Black Panthers)

Claire Anena (Black Panthers)

Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds)

Asha Nakityo (Thunderbirds)

Prossy Nakakande (Captain - Black Panthers)

Hadijah Namuyanja (Thunderbirds)

Charlotte Mudoola (Black Panthers)

Beatrice Atim (Black Panthers)

Brenda Kayiyi (Black Panthers)

Emmanuella Oroma (Black Panthers)

Helen Buteme (Black Panthers)

Updates

Ok. I've neglected this blog for a while. The national team (Lady Cranes) travelled to Nairobi. Our tiny Regina started the game and finished the full 80 minutes. She was playing at scrumhalf and was simply awesome. She passed, she commanded the pack, she defended. Great stuff Gina but despite that we lost 8 - 0. Not good.

The first Elgon cup leg is this Saturday so we get to revenge.

11 Panthers on the squad. According to newspaper reports with Rose back the coach is undecided on whether to start her or the impressive Regina (http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/724376). The full team is

1. Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)

2. Fortunate Irankunda (Black Panthers)

3. Warry Nambirige (Thunderbirds)

4. Evelyn Aweku (V/C -Thunderbirds)

5. Winnie Atyang (Thunderbirds)

6. Aaliya Adania (Thunderbirds)

7. Hellen Gizamba (Black Panthers)

8. Josephine Namayega (Black Panthers)

9. Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds)

10. Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds)

11. Prossy Nakakande (Captain - Black Panthers)

12. Beatrice Atim (Black Panthers)

13. Brenda Kayiyi (Black Panthers)

14. Charlotte Mudoola (Black Panthers)

15. Helen Buteme (Black Panthers)

16. Rebecca Akwenyu (Black Panthers)

17. Jackie Musoke (Thunderbirds)

18. Claire Anena (Black Panthers)

19. Regina Athieno (Black Panthers)

20. Asha Nakityo (Thunderbirds)

21. Mary Kyoita (Thunderbirds)

22. Hadija Namuyanja (Thunderbirds)

Team manager: Edmond Owor

Assistant team manager: Anne Alan

Coach: Henry Musoke

Assistant coach: Ronnie Lutakome

Lady Cranes depart for Nairobi

Lady Cranes travel to Nairobi by road using Kampala Coach. They leave at 6.30 on Thursday morning. Once again ICEMARK-Uganda has come through and sponsored the ladies. The team remains largely intact with a couple of changes on the bench due to the unavailability of some players due to work commitments. Our pint sized Regina makes it onto the team. Yeehaaaaaaaaaa. Go Gina. Gina's inclusion on the team means that Black Panthers take up 12 slots out of the 22.

The Black Panthers on the final 22:

Rebecca Akwenyu (hooker/lock)

Claire Anena (flyhalf/flanker)

Regina Athieno (scrumhalf)

Beatrice Atim (centre/flanker)

Aisha Bahhani (back row)

Helen Butem (utility back)

Hellen Gizamba (utility forward)

Fortunate Irankunda (prop/hooker)

Brenda Kayiyi (centre/flanker)

Charlotte Mudoola (utility back)

Prossy Nakakande (utility back)

Josephine Namayega (number 8/lock)

Keep up the hard work ladies and go kick butt!

Lady Cranes survive

Lady Cranes narrowly escaped their first defeat at home after making a splendid comeback in the last minutes of their game against Kenya.

The Ugandans were down to 14 in the last 10 minutes of the first half when centre referee, Denis Anguyo, sent flanker Hellen Gizamba to the sin bin for a retaliatory uppercut on Kenya's flyhalf. Credit to the forwards for remaining superior in the scrums and lineouts and for the entire team for keeping the Kenyans off the scoresheet at that time. Despite turning over the Kenyans at their scrumdowns and rucks, stealing lineouts and having possession for a good deal of the game, the Ugandans fail to make the most of it and instead gave away two silly tries through missed tackles and a clearance kick charged down in the ingoal.

The score was 0 - 0 at halftime but the Kenyans scored shortly after the break but missed the conversion. Uganda twice came close to scoring but fluffed their chances and instead the Kenyan women scored again with about 20 minutes to go. The conversion was again missed and the Kenyans looked that they would beat Lady Cranes in Uganda for the first time ever but Lady Cranes scored twice through Fortunate Irankunda and Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi in the last 10 minutes of the game to level the score. Both conversions were missed so Lady Cranes settled for a 10 - 10 draw.

Return leg is in Nairobi on May 22nd. Lady Cranes are sponsored by ICEMARK. Bamburi has not put any money into the women's games during this series. I guess we do not give them enough mileage.

The Lady Cranes team

1. Christine Kizito - Thunderbirds

2. Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi - Thunderbirds

3. Fortunate Irankunda - Black Panthers

4. Evelyn Aweku (Vice captain) - Thunderbirds

5. Winnie Atyang - Thunderbirds (Dorothy Nekesa)

6. Aaliya Adania - Thunderbirds

7. Hellen Gizamba - Black Panthers

8. Josephine Namayega - Black Panthers

9. Prossy Nakakande (Captain) - Black Panthers

10. Claire Anena - Black Panthers (Mary Kyoita)

11. Charlotte Mudoola - Black Panthers

12. Brenda Kayiyi - Black Panthers (Joan Namuyomba)

13. Beatrice Atim - Black Panthers

14. Hadijah Namuyanja - Thunderbirds

15. Helen Buteme - Black Panthers

16. Patricia Ayebazibwe - Thunderbirds

17. Rebecca Akwenyu - Black Panthers

18. Dorothy Nekesa - Thunderbirds

19. Aisha Bahhani - Black Panthers

20. Joan Namuyomba - Thunderbirds

21. Asha Nakityo - Thunderbirds

22. Mary Kyoita - Thunderbirds

Head coach: Henry Musoke

Assistant coach: Bobby Musinguzi

Team manager: Anne Alan Sizomu

Team doctor: Joseph Kalanzi

11 Black Panthers make it to the final 22

Eleven Black Panthers players were selected to the Lady Cranes 15 aside squad for the women's international against Kenya.

Rebecca Akwenyu (hooker/lock)

Claire Anena (flyhalf/flanker)

Beatrice Atim (centre/flanker)

Aisha Bahhani (flanker)

Helen Buteme (utility back)

Hellen Gizamba (utility forward)

Fortunate Irankunda (prop/hooker)

Brenda Kayiyi (centre/flanker)

Charlotte Mudoola (winger/scrumhalf)

Prossy Nakakande (utility back)

Josephine Namayega (number 8/lock)

Well done ladies.

Emmanuella Oroma (winger) missed a call up as she fractured and dislocated her wrist during the trials 2 weeks prior to the game.