Sharks beat defending champs in 7s tourney

On Saturday, Gikondo-based Sharks RFC beat defending champs Remera Buffaloes to lift the annual trophy.

Monday, March 12, 2012
Sharks players take down a Buffalo player in an earlier tournament. The New Times / Timothy Kisambira.

On Saturday, Gikondo-based Sharks RFC beat defending champs Remera Buffaloes to lift the annual trophy.The Sharks 7s tournament held at the Amahoro National Stadium, attracted 6 teams, the other four were Muhanga, Puma, Lions de fer and the national side, the Silverbacks.The Buffaloes were looking forward to making for their first ever loss suffered in the inaugural Muhanga 7s on February 21. However, the Sharks had their own plans. They were determined to win, for the first time, a tournament they have organized for the last four years. Much as the odds seemed against the Sharks, they managed to pull off a major upset.Sharks’ Tharcisse Kamanda, scored a quick try in the first half of the final. This was followed by a clever drop goal from youngster Emmanuel "Jazo” Nduwayezu stretching the lead to 8-0 in Sharks favour.As the Buffaloes thought they were starting to take charge of the game, Nemeye sneaked in another try which Nduwayezu comfortably converted ending the first half at 15-0 in favour of the hosts.The second half saw a more fired up Buffaloes but all came to naught as it couldn’t register any tries.Hong Kong bound national team, the Silverbacks, played as a select side. The team will travel on March 17. This will be its third trip having started going there in 2010..