Guinness 7s – 2021
*1st Leg (Mileke 7s) @Legends
Finals
Kobs 21-17 Pirates
Semis
Kobs 21-19 Heathens
Pirates 17-00 Buffaloes
Betway Kobs started their defense of the National Rugby Sevens Series on a winning note after beating arch rivals and former champions Stanbic Black Pirates 21-17 in the finals of the opening circuit of the Guinness 7s dubbed Mileke 7s on Sunday at Legends Grounds in Kampala.
The opening circuit that ran for two days (Saturday and Sunday) saw Kobs win all their games (including group stage) and later triumphing over Heathens (21-19) and Kobs in the semis and finals respectively.
In the final, Kobs ran in three converted tries against Pirates’ three tries and one conversion.
Adrian Kasito scored Kobs first try after capitalizing on an unmarked right-hand side of the pitch to touch down. Joseph Aredo utilized the extras.
Isaac Massa was quick to bring Pirates back into the game with a try but Ivan Magomu couldn’t convert, missing out on a chance to even matters.
Kobs went into the halftime break with a 14-05 lead after Bryon Oketayot touched down towards the interval. Aredo once again put the extras in between the sticks.
After the break, Pirates were keen on coming atop and moments later Desire Ayera split past Kobs backline bodies to touch down. Timothy Kisiga utilized the extras to cut Kobs’ lead to just two points.
However, with the circuit triumph seemingly at their grasp, Kobs couldn’t let it slip. Al Hajji Manano further stretched his side’s lead with a well worked out try. Aredo once again managed to convert.
Kelvin Balagadde kept Pirates’ hopes alive as he touched down at the death but it was too late to make amends as Kobs won the circuit off a 21-17 triumph.
Kobs claimed Sh500,000 for winning the circuit as their star Aredo was named circuit MVP, pocketing Sh250,000. Kobs’ Karim Arinaitwe was named upcoming player of the tournament while Abel Alele (Jaguars) emerged circuit top try scorer.
After one outing, Kobs lead the Series with 22 points, three ahead of Pirates. Heathens who beat Buffaloes 17-14 in the 3/4 placement fixture are third with 17 points, two ahead of the latter.
However, rugby legends were honored at the Mileke 7s (hosted by Warriors) including; The Late Henry Rujumba, The Late Edward Kitaka, Seguya Robert, Helen Koyokoyo Buteme, The Mudoolas (Fred, Timothy and Charlotte Theresa Mudoola) and Allan Musoke.
Mileke 7s started in 2019 and it’s played in honor of rugby parents Patrick and Deborah Mileke who are parents to rugby playing trio of Joseph, Gabriel and Erasmus Aredo. Unfortunately Mr. Patrick Mileke passed away months after the inaugural edition.
The next event of the Series (Northern Circuit) will be held on Saturday, 9th October in Gulu. It will be hosted by local outfit, Elephants.
Guinness 7s – 2021 schedule.
1st Leg : 2nd & 3rd October. Warriors/Legends (Central Circuit). Winners: Kobs
2nd Leg: 9th October. Gulu Elephants/Gulu grounds (Northern Circuit)
3rd Leg: 16th October. Soroti. Rangers/ Soroti grounds (Eastern Circuit)
4th Leg: 30th&31st October. Black pirates/ King’s Park (Central Circuit)
5th Leg: 6th November. Rams RFC/ Kabale Stadium (Western Circuit)
6th Leg: 13th&14th November. BSO/Legends (Central Circuit)
