How Kigezi Silverbacks won the Western Conference rugby title

Western Conference rugby results

Men

Silverback 28 Tooro Lions 3

Women

Kigezi Queens 35 Buddu Cuppas 5

Kigezi's hard work was rewarded when two of their teams emerged champions of this year’s edition of the Nile Special Western conference campaign.

Kigezi Silverbacks won the men’s category after beating Tooro Lions 27-3 in a finale played at Kabale Municipal Stadium to win their maiden rugby title in all competitions.

Action between Kigezi Silverbacks (green) and Tooro Lions (black)

At the same time, their female counterparts Kigezi Queens beat Buddu Cuppas 35-5 on aggregate to also pocket their maiden title.

To reach the final, Kigezi Silverbacks topped Ankole zone ahead of second-placed Buddu Bears, while Tooro Queens topped their zone with KIU Lions coming second.

The Silverbacks then whipped KIU 18-11 in the semifinals to book a final showdown against Buddu Bears who had eliminated Tooro Lions 16-10, but the Lions won a petition against Buddu to match on to the finals.

Kigezi’s Dan Difasi scored 3 penalties and 2 conversions for 13 points to become the season’s top points scorer with 57, and the season’s top tries scorer (7 tries) Emmanuel Atuhaire scored 1 try adding to Arnold Mabello and Mark Kasozi tries while Tooro’s consolation was Creven Mumbere’s penalty kick.

“There were issues between Tooro Lions and Buddu Bears which were sorted allowing Buddu to come for the final but they failed to make it, paving Tooro’s way. We are happy that Kigezi teams have started winning titles in the few years of rugby introduction in the region,” said URU development officer, Western region, Timothy Iraka.

The Silverbacks will now ready themselves to battle for top division promotion, as they begin the promotional outing against Victoria Sharks on Saturday (May 11) at Kyadondo before hosting Gulu City Falcons on May 18 in Kabale and close out the playoffs against Elgon Wolves on May 25 also in Kabal.e

Sri Lanka bowled out Uganda for 110 in 20 overs, with Dinesh Nakrani (32), Riazat Shah (21), Ronak Patel (11), and Alpesh Ramjani (10) putting up the most resistance for Abhay Sharma’s side.