Sunday

Lion de Fer 17-10 Kigali Sharks

Saturday

Kamonyi Pumas 12-29 ResilienceUR Grizzlies 12-10 Muhanga

Lion de Fer showed signs of revival in the 17-10 win over Kigali Sharks in the national rugby league on Sunday at the Red Cross grounds in Kacyiru.

This comes with the return of second center Marcel Cambara Koko and appointment of new coach, Arnold Kwizera. It was Lion de Fer’s first win of the season after losing to Thousand Hills 34-9 in the first game.

Koko, who has been away for two years, said the league has improved with teams like Sharks being able to present a challenge, "The past times we would easily beat Kigali Sharks, but it wasn’t easy today.”

"It’s all about training and rugby is a physically demanding game. I have been training independently,” said Koko about the game in which he scored Lion de Fer’s two tries.

The 29-year old, Silverbacks center added he was back to help colleagues rebuild and expressed optimism about getting a new coach.

"We still have a lot to do as a team, we’re still playing a lot of individualistic rugby. We are not yet cohesive,” said Kwizera, a former U-19 Uganda rugby cranes scrumhalf.

Lion de Fer captain Victorien Umuhire grabbed one conversion while full back Jean de Dieu Hakizimana scored a try, a conversion and penalty for Kigali Sharks.

In the Southern Province league, Resilience continued their fairy tale debut with a 29-12 win over hosts Kamonyi Pumas.

The visitors scored four tries through Damascene Ndolimana, Frank Kyubaka and Samuel Nirere (2), with Nirere converting three of the tries and a penalty. Pumas managed four penalties through Emmanuel Hatangimana (3) and Anselme Muhire.

University of Rwanda side UR Grizzlies overcame visiting Muhanga 12-10 through a last minute try by captain, Claude Mudaheranwa to get their first win this season. Gregory Sibomana had scored the Grizzlies’ other try with Mugwaneza William converting.

Iradukunda Emmanuel scored Muhanga’s only try with Laurien Hakizimana converting it before adding a penalty.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw