Dimension Data Rwenzori became the first Ugandan side to make it to a Super series final after they saw off the SDV Transami Cheetahs 25-0 at the Kampala Rugby Club. In Nairobi the UAP Rhinos made it six finals in a row when they edged out the Lions 20-19 in a close match at the RFUEA grounds.
In Kampala,Dimension Data Rwenzori confidently saw off the SDV Transami Cheetahs 25-0 to book a final spot for the first time,Rwenzori took the lead through a Marvin Odongo unconverted try, the Ugandan side taking this lead into the half time break. Anthony Kinene extended Rwenzori’s lead to 8-0 from a penalty, after this the Cheetahs tried to get back into it with the Rwenzori doing well to hold them out. The Rwenzori would further stretch that lead via an Edmund Tumusiime drop goal to make it 11-0, the Cheetahs would again try to get back in the game again falling short. The Rwenzori would seal this game through an Edmund Tumusiime try and a Kinene conversion to make it 18-0, they went further ahead via a converted try by Kamanyire confirmed by the TMO. Making the final score 25-0.
In Nairobi the epic encounter between the Lions and UAP Rhinos lived up to expectation at the RFUEA, despite the light showers at the beginning of the game. It was the Lions who showed more intent in the early exchanges, this dominance winning the Lions a penalty which Fabian Olando missed from. The Lions continued dominating though it was the Rhinos whon scored first after putting together a counter attack, Brian Nyikuli finishing off the move. The resulting conversion missed by Agero, the Lions who had dominated to this point continued to probe the Rhinos line but just falling short. Their persistence finally paid off, Edwin Machanje grounding the ball to level the scores 5 all.The Lions would again pick up from where they left from with several phases at the forwards, the Rhinos again resolute in defence. The Rhinos would win a penalty inside the Lions’ half opting to go for touch,and finding it through Eden Agero. They would win the resulting line out to set up a maul which they succesfully drove to the line owing to their weight advantage in the forwards. The referee would however call the first of several TMO decions to confirm the try, with the TMO seeing no reason not to award the try, the Rhinos retook the lead 10-5. With this score the Rhinos started turning the tables on the Lions, taking the game to them, again winning a penalty off one of their ventures into Lions’ territory and kicking for touch.They would again win the resulting penalty and maul off it to ground the ball. The referee again calling for the TMO to confirm the try, which he duely did to take the scores to 15-5 to the Rhinos. With the half winding down, the Lions would win 3 consecutive penalties, Olando hitting the upright from one and scoring from the two to make the half time scores 11-15 to the Rhinos.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with the Lions dominating possesion and territory, they would win two early penalties from which Fabian Olando managed to miss from both attempts. The Lions would however win another penalty this time Olando making it third time lucky to make it a one point game at 14-15 to the Rhinos. The Rhinos charge would receive a body blow when Fly Half Eden Agero was sent to the sin bin for obstructing play from a qiuck line out. The Lions took full advantage of their numerical advantage to take the lead for the first time in the match through Darwin Mukidza try, to take the scores to 19-15.
The Lions would continue to dominating this period of exchanges with the Rhinos again defending well. With Agero back on the field of play the Rhinos would start to turn things around, again winning a penalty and going for touch. It was a try from the same script as the last two, with the TMO awarding the try to give the Rhinos a one point lead at 20-19. With less than a minute to go the Lions were camped at the Rhinos half looking for the score that will win them the game.
The hooter would sound with the Lions still in possession of the ball just short of the Rhinos 22 meter line, the Rhinos defending with all they had. The Lions patient in attack, setting up play after play from the forwards looking for an opening, this opening came when the Rhinos committed an infringement at the ruck. Lavin Asego going for the drop goal knowing that his side had an advantage, the veteran fly half taking it wide. The ref would bring back play to the point of the penalty, after a short discussion the Lions opted to go for the posts.
It was all on Olando’s shoulders now, the top points scorer this far took his time with the kick just left of the posts between the 22 and 44 meter line. With the Lions’ fans holding their breath, the kick was taken and drifted just wide of the near post. Being the final play of the game the centre referee blew for full time, taking the UAP Rhinos to their fifth consecutive final.
The man of the match from this game was awarded to Edwin Machanje who lead the Lions charge.
With those results, the finalists for the 10th edition of the Bamburi super series are the Dimension Data Rwenzori and the UAP Rhinos. This match will be a replay of the Pool B day two fixture played in Kampala where thew Rwenzori emerged 17-15 winners on the day. The third place play off will also be a replay, this time a Pool A replay between the Lions and the SDV Transami Cheetahs, the Lions were 24-15 winners in that one.
Collated Results:
Dimension Data Rwenzori 25-0 SDV Transami Cheetahs
Lions 19-20 UAP Rhinos
Third Place Play Off:
Lions vs SDV Transami Cheetahs
Final:
UAP Rhinos vs Dimension Data Rwenzori
