Kenya: Marauding Lions Maul Coast Bulls

Ayumba Ayodi

30 April 2011

Nairobi — Debutantes Coast Bulls received a rugby lesson to the Bamburi Rugby Super Series when they were hammered 36-08 by the 2008 champions Lions at the Mombasa Sports Club.

Lions scored six tries and three conversion while Bulls managed a try and a penalty.

Lock Dennis “Ironman” Mwanja bludgeoned through a hat trick of tries for Lions. Collins Kimani, Chris Asego and Collins Wamae scored one each before Tito Oduk converted two while Asego one for the Lions’ victory.

Jotham Yakuma and Rogers Lai managed a try and conversion in the first and second half respectively for Bulls.

Meanwhile, defending champions Rhinos weathered a second half Sharks attack for a hard-earned 36-17 victory in an explosive Bamburi Rugby Super Series Pool A tie at the RFUEA grounds.

Man of the match

The champions powered to a 24-3 lead before the Sharks ploughed back to score some breathtaking tries through Horace Owiti and Joel Omer. Ken Andola conevrted both to reduce the deficit at 17-24 and bring the amalgamation nof Universities sides back to the game.

In Nairobi, former champions Cheetahs launched their quest to recapture the Bamburi Rugby Super Series title in style, crushing Uganda’s Rwenzori 49-0 at the RFUEA grounds.

Cheetahs, the 2004 and 2006 titleholders, dominated both forward and back play, touched down eight tries, two tries and a penalty in a one-sided Pool B duel. Man-of-the-match full back Vincent Mose and fly half Nato Simiyu score a brace of tries each for Cheetahs.

Inside centre Kelvin Omiyo, wingers Dan Weku, Leslie Ochieng and captain lock Michael Aung scored Cheetahs other tries.

Graceful in defeat

Mose curled over the conversions and a penalty in a match the Cheetahs were invincible in the second half where they virtually confined Rwenzori to their 22.

“The scoreline could have indicated our dominance on the pitch but we need to tighten and better our set pieces,” said Aung. “Our backs were electric but they didn’t get enough quality deliveries from the set pieces.

Aung said they will work on securing quality balls from the scrum half since their next away match against Victoria won’t be as easy. “Victoria is Uganda’s strongest side hence needless to say what await us.”

Strong forward

Rwenzori skipper Aciku Richard was graceful in defeat and promised a sterling comeback in their next match against Mumias Sugar Buffaloes next weekend.

“The hammered into our loopholes to score quick tries in the first half and that is what distabilised our comeback and patterns. We need to improve on our defence in the next match,” said Richard.

Cheetahs were on the hunt from the buzzer with explosive forwards play that st a good platform the their dazzling backs. They were to get a penalty within the first two minutes, which Mose slotted over for the 3-0 lead.

The relentless Cheetahs were on the attack again with scrum half Michael Mugo snatching the ball from the maul. Mugo swung it to Nato Simiyu before chalking a cross kick to Weku.

AllAfrica – All the Time