Uganda’s Emerging Cranes etched their name in history books after defeating South Africa’s SA All Stars 17-12 to lift the inaugural Kampala 7s title at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere on Sunday.
The thrilling cup final was the culmination of two days of top-tier rugby sevens action, where despite falling to the SA All Stars during the pool stage, Emerging Cranes regrouped and in the final they avenged their earlier loss.
Uganda’s Emerging Cranes pose for a photo. PHOTO/KAMPALA 7s/X
Their path to the trophy was nothing short of impressive. They opened their campaign with a commanding 40–0 victory over Kenya’s KOBs in Round 1, followed by a 17–17 stalemate against Heathens and a narrow 5–12 loss to the SA All Stars in Round 3. The hosts then bounced back in the knockout rounds, hammering Nondescripts 24–0 in the quarterfinals before narrowly edging Shogun 7–5 in the semis.
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Meanwhile, Kenya’s top clubs stumbled at the crucial stages. Strathmore Leos and Nondescripts had strong starts, both going unbeaten through the pool stages.
Strathmore Leos in action against Mongers at Kampala 7s. PHOTO/KAMPALA 7S/X
However, they faltered in the knockout phase with Leos falling 10–26 to the SA All Stars in the semifinals, while Nondies were shut out 0–24 by Emerging Cranes in the quarters. Leos would eventually finish fourth after a 7–10 loss to Shogun in the third-place playoff.
Nondescripts in action against Toyota Buffaloes. PHOTO/Kampala 7s/X
In the 5th place contest, KOBs edged out Buffaloes 29–26 in a closely fought final, having earlier beaten Nondies 14–12 in the semis. Heathens finished ninth after a 17–5 win over Warriors, while Mongers claimed 11th place with a narrow 14–12 victory over Black Pirates.
Kampala 7s Round 1 Results
- Mongers 07–34 Strathmore Leos
- Buffaloes 07–22 Nondescripts
- KOBs 00–40 Emerging Cranes
- Heathens 07–24 SA All Stars
- Rams 15–07 Warriors
- Black Pirates 00–32 Shogun
- Kampala 7s Round 2 Results
- Mongers 00–19 Nondescripts
- Buffaloes 10–24 Strathmore Leos
- KOBs 05–10 SA All Stars
- Heathens 17–17 Emerging Cranes
- Rams 10–22 Shogun
- Black Pirates 05–10 Warriors
- Kampala 7s Round 3 Results
- Strathmore Leos 24–14 Nondescripts
- Buffaloes 38–00 Mongers
- Emerging Cranes 05–12 SA All Stars
- Heathens 05–12 KOBs
- Warriors 10–48 Shogun
- Black Pirates 15–21 Rams
- 9th Place Semifinals
- Heathens 33–19 Black Pirates
- Warriors 14–10 Mongers
- 11th Place Final
- Mongers 14-12 Black Pirates
- 9th Place Final
- Warriors 5-17 Heathens
- 5th Place Semifinals
- Nondescripts 12–14 KOBs
- Buffaloes 17–14 Rams
- 5th Place Final
- KOBs 29-26 Buffaloes
- Kampala 7s Cup Quarterfinals
- SA All Stars 17–00 Buffaloes
- Strathmore Leos 29–5 Rams
- Emerging Cranes 24–0 Nondescripts
- Shogun 29–7 KOBs
- Kampala 7s Cup Semifinals
- •Strathmore Leos 10–26 SA All Stars
- Shogun 5-7 Emerging Cranes
- 3rd Place Playoff
- Strathmore 7-10 Shogun
- Kampala 7s Cup Final
- SA All Stars 12-17 Emerging Cranes
