Avengers Stun Black Pearls To Win Mbale 7s

Avengers Rugby Football Club have won the second circuit of the Nile Special 7s Series in Mbale.

The Entebbe-based side beat defending series champions Black Pearls, putting a comma on the Pearls’ dominance. They kicked off Day One of the Mbale 7s with a seamless pool phase that saw them top their group.

Wins against Kitgum Queens, hosts Mbale Eagles, and Thunderbirds set them up for a semi-final tie against Nile Rapids. Maimuna Nassozi continued to exhibit her form as she opened the scoring against Rapids. With a halftime score of 12:00 in favor of the Entebbe side, they ensured the second half was a one-way journey towards the Rapids try line. Florence Babirye got on the score sheet to secure a 29:00 win.

In the other semi-final, a Grace Auma hat trick of tries inspired the Black Pearls to a 22:05 win against Thunderbirds. Sarah Nakafero scored Thunderbirds’ only points of the game as the industrious Rita Nadunga ensured the Bweyogerere side marched to the final.

Avengers stun Pearls

In the final, Avengers drew first blood as Maimuna Nassozi converted Juliet Nandawula’s well-worked try. Grace Auma gracefully restored parity in the second half with a converted try for the Pearls. However, Maimuna Nassozi ensured the Mbale 7s crown goes to Entebbe, putting a pause on the Pearls’ dominance.

Thunderbirds beat Nile Rapids 20:07 to close the podium finishes at the foot of Wanale Hill. Juliet Nandawula was the circuit’s Most Valuable Player owing to her spectacular outing in Busamaga.

In the men’s cup, Stanbic Black Pirates needed a Jones Kamiza conversion to secure gold in suspended captain Ivan Magomu’s backyard, beating the Platinum Credit Heathens 7:5. Heathens drew first blood as Denis Etwau touched down for a try that wasn’t converted. However, the Pirates put up a spirited comeback in the second half with a Mubarak Wandera try. Enforcer Desire Ayera was named Most Valuable Player of the Mbale 7s