The men’s national rugby 15s side, Kenya Simbas, clinched the Elgon Cup 2024 title after a dominant 5-21 second leg performance against hosts Uganda at the Kings Park in Bweyogerere on Saturday.
Having taken a narrow 27-25 win from the first leg played at the RFUEA Grounds on 9 November, the result meant that Kenya successfully defended the title with a 48-30 aggregate win as they once again claimed the bragging rights over the perennial rivals.
Tries from Ephraim Oduor, Eugene Sifuna and highly rated Andycole Omollo, who scored in only his second appearance in the national team, helped Kenya to complete the double as Sidney Gongodyo scored Uganda’s only effort in the return match.
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The Jerome Paarwater-coached side were the quickest off the blocks and saw their bright start result with an opening try after just three minutes with Oduor the player going over the line after Kenya’s patient but persistent probing.
After several pick-and-drive phases, the Kabras Sugar man bulldozed his way over the line to give Kenya a 0-7 lead following Timothy Omela’s successful conversion.
Uganda had a chance to reduce the deficit shortly after as they got a penalty in kickable range, but just like in the first leg, accuracy proved to be a problem as Shakim Ssembusi saw his attempt drift wide off target.
Kenya extended their advantage in the 18th minute as Sifuna found some gap in the Uganda defense which he exploited to land the team’s second try. Omela was perfect with the conversion once again as he extended the lead to 0-14.
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With momentum on their side, Kenya camped in Ugandan territory as they forced the hosts into making errors that led to Kenya’s third try.
It all started when Omolo forced a knock-on from Conrad Wanyama. The resultant scrum ended up with Wahinya offloading the ball to the 20-year-old who touched down for his first Simbas try, Omela converting to take the lead to 0-21.
Uganda had a chance to respond when Innocent Gwokto broke through Kenya’s defence but Alfred Orege’s determined chase back denied the score although it came at a cost as he was shown a yellow card for foul play.
Despite being a man less, the Simbas managed to keep out the Ugandans as they went into the break with the 0-21 lead.
The second half saw Uganda taking even more initiative to try and claw their way back in the match but a resolute Kenya was not relenting as they stood firm up until the very last two minutes when Gongodyo managed a late consolation try at the corner.
Elgon Cup 2024 Results
Kenya Simbas 27-25 Uganda Rugby Cranes (1st leg)
Uganda Rugby Cranes 5-21 Kenya Simbas (2nd leg)
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