Uganda Rugby Cranes lost 26-31 to Zimbabwe Sables in the 2019 Victoria Cup on Saturday at Legends Rugby Club in Kampala.
The hosts conceded 19 points in about 15 minutes with the visitors crossing the whitewash within the first minute of play before two more unconverted tries and a penalty.
A Philip Wokorach penalty later gave Ugandan fans hope prior to his three penalties later to reduce Zimbabwe’s lead to 12-19 by half time. On return, the home side ran in their first try of the game after Black Pirates fly half Ivan Magomu set up team mate Desire Ayera to slot home. Wokorach’s conversion tied the game 19-all.
However, after spending more than 25 minutes without a point, Zimbabwe restored their lead with two quick tries and a penalty to silence the home crowd. Desire Ayera once again restored hope and Wokorach’s conversion implied that Uganda needed just a try to level the match –which never came with the final score reading 26-31 in favor f Zimbawe.
Cranes Captain and Prop Asuman Mugerwa says the team will go back to the drawing board in a bid to correct the Saturday mistakes. “We will not lose hope. We have to build up for the next fixture and ensure that we are mentally and physically ready. The early tries we conceded disorganized our game plan,” Mugerwa noted.
Cranes return to Legends on August 10 for their last home game of the campaign against Zambia before visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe for the return leg fixtures.
