Nile Rapids Claim Lawii Rwodi Trophy, Heathens Ascend to Top of Rugby Standings

Nile Rapids have finally conquered the Lawii Rwodi tournament in Gulu, ending a year-long drought at the northern Uganda venue. After a disappointing outing previously, the Jinja-based team returned with renewed determination, seeking to rebound from a sixth-place finish at the previous circuit.

Their path to the final saw them dominate pool play, defeating She Wolves, Black Pearls, and Ewes. A tense semifinal against Avengers required a clutch performance, with Fatuma Kirabo and Jemima Namukose’s late efforts securing their place in the championship match.

The women’s final was a nail-biting affair against Thunderbirds. Gorreti Babirye opened the scoring for Rapids, but Thunderbirds fought back to level the scores at halftime. In a dramatic finale, with extra time looming, Rapids executed a brilliant lineout play, culminating in Unity Namulala’s decisive try that sealed their victory.

This win propelled Nile Rapids back to the summit of the women’s standings, holding a narrow one-point lead over Thunderbirds with two circuits remaining.

On the men’s side, Heathens made a strong statement following their narrow loss in the previous final. They showcased their resilience by sweeping through their pool and progressing through the knockout stages. A dominant performance in the final against Buffaloes saw them adapt effectively to their opponents’ strategy, securing a hard-fought 12-7 victory.

The triumph marks Heathens’ first title of the season and propels them to the top of the men’s league table, extending their lead over rivals Pirates and Buffaloes. The series is now set for a brief two-week hiatus before resuming at the Kyabazinga tournament hosted by Walukuba.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/rugby/nile-rapids-end-gulu-hoodoo-as-heathens-move-top-5579956