The two strongest and oldest men’s rugby clubs on the East side of the great Nile river, Jinja Hippos and Walukuba Barbarians, prevailed over their opponents during the first round of the 2024 Eastern Giants Cup on Saturday.
Hippos beat Njeru Hurricanes, 41-12, courtesy of a Meddy Bagalana hat trick, a Josiah Maile brace, and a single try by Rahul Kaziba. Yasin Waswa, fresh from making his Rugby Cranes debut, kicked four conversions and a penalty. For Hurricanes, Emmanuel Ameny kicked four penalties.
Walukuba stomped Elgon Wolves by 36-12 points through five different try scorers; Shafiq Wampande, Issa Luqman (2), Ivan Bulima, Ronald Obedi, and Jamal Ofoyrwoth. Ashraf Babu and Gift Wokorach kicked a penalty each while Wolves’ points were all kicked by Hamisi Katumba.
For the first appearance of a women’s competition in the Eastern Giants Cup, Nile Rapids overcame She Wolves by 15-00 points. Justine Anguchia, Asha Fayira, and Jemima Namukose scored the tries.
Eastern Giants Cup 2024 Round One Results:
- Women’s 1st Leg: Nile Rapids 15-00 She Wolves
- Men’s Semifinal 1: Walukuba Barbarians 36-06 Elgon Wolves
- Men’s Semifinal 2: Jinja Hippos 41-12 Njeru Hurricanes
All three matches were played at Damwaters Rugby Club in Jinja City.
The second round and finals are scheduled for next Saturday at the same venue.
Losing semifinalists Elgon Wolves and Njeru Hurricanes will battle for third place in the early kickoff. They will be followed by Nile Rapids and She Wolves contesting for a superior aggregate score required to be crowned women’s champions. The men’s final will feature Hippos and Walukuba for the second successive time.
Eastern Giants Cup 2024 Finals Fixtures:
- 12 p.m. – Men’s 3rd place playoff: Elgon Wolves v Njeru Hurricanes
- 2 p.m. – Women’s 2nd round: Nile Rapids v She Wolves
- 4 p.m. – Men’s final: Jinja Hippos v Walukuba Barbarians
The post Hippos, Walukuba, Nile Rapids prevail in 2024 Eastern Giants Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
