Thousand Hills RFC coach Jimmy Adam Mugabo has hailed his players after winning this year’s Kigali Rugby 7’s tournament held over the weekend in Remera.
Thousand Hills RFC coach Jimmy Adam Mugabo has hailed his players after winning this year’s Kigali Rugby 7’s tournament held over the weekend in Remera.
The Hills convincingly beat Rusizi-based Resilience 24-5 in the final of the one-day competition that was organised by Sharks and Thousand Rugby Clubs, and sponsored by Englishmen Andrew Kettlewell, David Mitchell and Dave Hughes.
Speaking to Times Sport after the victory, Mugabo said, "My team played better… we had a plan, which we were able to execute. This was because of the good preparations that we had ahead of the competition.”
Mugabo said his side deserved the title because it was the best side among all the eight.
"My players, technically and tactically performed better, I must congratulate them for the commitment exhibited on the field,” he added.
It was not the result that Resilience Rugby Club wanted; but it was the game that Rwanda rugby enthusiasts must have enjoyed, especially the neutrals.
The first half of the thrilling game ended with the Hills leading through one conversion and a try before sealing victory in the second period with three more tries and a conversion.
In the semi-finals, The Hills hammered Sharks Rugby Club 33-0 while Resilience were too good for Lion de Fer beating them by 26-12. Sharks took third place after defeating Lion de Fer 26-12.
The Hills walked away with the trophy and medals but it was a bitter pill to swallow for Resilience captain Jean Dieu Hakizimana, who expressed his disappointment after the competition.
Hakizimana pointed out that, "Our aim was to win the tournament, so that we can end their dominance in Rwandan rugby, however that did not happen. We lost because of making some minor errors in defence.”
"All in all coming from Rusizi and beating the Kigali teams to reach the final shows that we have a good team, we have challenges that we need to overcome like sponsorship, a professional coach and may be signing better players,” he stated.
At the preliminary round, Goma-based Okapi drew with Sharks 5-all in the opener before losing to Muhanga RFC 14-5. Kamonyi Pumas were beaten 22-0 by Grizzliers, who later lost 31-5 to Thousand Hills and Resilience defeated Muhanga 12-7.
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