Kenya go down to Uganda in Elgon cup

From the Daily Nation

Kenya gifted Uganda with two easy late tries as they slumped to a 18-32 defeat to the hosts at the Kyadondo rugby grounds on Thursday but still retained the Elgon Cup on better points aggregate.

Its man-of-the-match winger Justin Kimono and full-back Allan Musoke, who punished Kenyas sloppy defending with two quick diving tries behind the posts in the last five minutes.

But that sweet victory fell short as the Cranes first leg loss of 10-27 proved a spoiler to enable Kenya claim their sixth Elgon Cup diadem. Kenya had powered from 0-8 down to lead 11-8 at intervals before stretching the lead to 18-11 only for the Cranes to recharge and fly away victorious.

The loss saw Victoria Cup slip away from Kenyas cabinet and is now headed down south to Harare.

That now makes July 23 Victoria Cup return match against Zimbabwe Sables in Nairobi a mere formality. Zimbabwe tops with 14 points while Kenya are second on six while Uganda third on five.

Quick passes

Precisely, Uganda, who ravelled in their forwards that basically carried the day at their backyard, chalked a bonus points with four tries, two penalties and two conversions while Kenya managed two tries, a conversion and three penalties.

Besides Musoke and Kimono, flanker Robert Seguya, who was the core at Cranes forward assault managed one try with debuntante Lawrence Wakabi coming from the bench to score also. Anthony Kinene did Cranes kicking.

Prop Daniel Kiptoo and fly half Linus Nato Simiyu scored the tries for Kenya while winger Peter Claver-Abuoga made the conversions. The session started at high pace but its the Ugandans, who had Kenyans on the ropes with quick passes and set-pieces as there forwards called shots. Kinenes penalty would put Uganda ahead 3-0.

Kenya went on attack from kick off to put Uganda under pressure but some handling errors by Simiyu and Peter Mutai would see Uganda defend well to clear.

A composed Uganda would attack again with good display by Seguya and eightman Andrew Olweny but an attempt drop goal by fly half Bennon Kiiza failed.

Kenya won a penalty in Uganda half as Abuoga kicked for touch but eventually lost the line-out ball.

Kenya were penalised for pulling down the maul and Uganda went for the touch before bring in the ball for Seguyas that Kinene missed to lead 8-0. Kenya were to hit back with lovely breakdowns hence getting two penalties that Abuoga slotted over. Another superlative workout from inside centre Patrice Agunda and Simiyu was end with a maul that saw Kiptoo score from a drive and take the lead 11-8 at intervals.

Flanker Andrew and Kiptoo rattled Uganda defense with powerful slicing but were stopped on the line by Ugandans resolute defending. A break came when the ball was off-loaded from the maul then taken wide before Simiyu weaved through for the try that Abuoga converted to make it 18-8.

Despite a couple of changes at the pack with Brian Okwomi and Joel Nganga being rested for Victor Oduor and Moses Amusala, Uganda snuffed the Kenyans phases as they get a penalty that Seguya opted for a try but was stopped by Martin Likami on the line.

That is when Cranes pressure paid when Kenyas midfield was caught napping for Wakabi to dance through for a try that Kinene converted.

Full back Mose and Agunda indecision in dealing with Ugandan high ball gifted Kimono, who picked the ball to score under posts. Kinene converted for 22-18 lead before Musoke finished with the icing on the cake.