Rhinos Charge Down Victoria in Bamburi Super Series

Rhinos, the defending Bamburi Rugby Super Series champions started their campaign with an emphatic 46-9 win over Uganda Franchise side Victoria as the 10th series kicked off in Nairobi, Kampala and Mombasa.

They led 24- 3 at half-time in a rainy Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground. Former Impala player, Brian Nyikuli scored a brace while Dennis Muhanji and Calvin Otieno playing at wing added one each. Second rows Edwin Makori and Wilson Kopondo also crossed the chalk line for Rhinos.

Chris Oduor, playing at full back was not to be outdone, scoring one try too. Eden Agero landed four conversions. Victoria replied with three penalties from the boots of Philip Wokorach.

As expected, Victoria relied on their heavy packs to dictate terms but Rhinos were solid in defence stopping the visitors twice from scoring.

An early exchange saw Agero initiate the first try when he took control from a line out and the ball exchanged hands between the backs before winger Dennis Muhanji went over. Agero converted for a 7-0 lead.

He slotted a penalty from his two attempts to stretch the lead 10-0. Wokorach landed one of his three penalties to reduce the gap to 10-3 in Rhino’s favor. Rhinos charged again after scrum half Sidney Achayo combined well with eighthman Leslie Libasia before Nyikuli went over for his first try.

Makori was next over as Rhinos led 24-3. On resumption, Nyikuli barged over for his second try and Kopondo was next over from a maul. In another match, SDV Transami Cheetahs rallied from behind to beat Nguvu Sharks 11-7 in another match.

Winger Edwin Salamba scored a try for Sharks and centre Ken Andola converted for a 7-0 lead. Steve Sakwa stroked over a penalty for Cheetahs to reduce the gap to 3-7 in Sharks’ favor.

A second Sakwa penalty saw Cheetahs narrow the gap 6-7 before lawrence Buyachi clinched he narrow win with a try with only five minutes left. In Kampala, Dimension Data Rwenzori started their 2012 campaign with a 43-31 win over the Mumias Sugar Buffaloes, Rwenzori led 33-10 at the half.

Coastal Bulls which had several guest players were humbled 45-6 by visiting Lions.

Match Day one results SDV Transami Cheetahs 11 Nguvu Sharks 7, Dimension Data Rwenzori 43 Mumias Sugar Buffaloes 31, Coastal Bulls 6 Lions 45, UAP Rhinos 46 KCB Victoria 9. 

 Eric Odanga

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