2010 Victoria Cup

2010 Victoria Cup
Countries	Kenya  Uganda  Zimbabwe
Tournament format(s)	Round-robin
Champions	Kenya (1st title)
Matches played	5
Tries scored	26 (5.2 per match)
Top point scorer(s)	Simiyu I. (30)  Kenya
Top try scorer(s)	Simiyu I. (6)  Kenya
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The 2010 Victoria Cup took place during June and July 2010, and was the inaugural Victoria Cup with the national teams from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda competing in a round robin tournament, with both home and away fixtures. Kenya was declared the winner after winning all 4 of its matches.

Schedule

Click on the date in the first column to see more details on that match.

Date	Kickoff	Home	Score	Visitor	Venue	Notes
2010-06-12	1500h EAT	Kenya	11 – 10	Zimbabwe	RFUEA Ground, Nairobi, Kenya	Zimbabwe earned a bonus point for losing by less than 8 points.
2010-06-19	1600h EAT	Uganda	24 – 15	Zimbabwe	Kyadondo Grounds, Kampala, Uganda
2010-07-03	1600h EAT	Uganda	25 – 33	Kenya	Kyadondo Grounds, Kampala, Uganda	(Elgon Cup - Rd 1) Both teams earn bonus point for scoring 4 tries.
2010-07-10	1600h EAT	Kenya	21 – 5	Uganda	RFUEA Ground, Nairobi, Kenya	(Elgon Cup - Rd 2) Kenya retain Elgon Cup and win inaugural Victoria Cup.
2010-07-17	1600h CAT	Zimbabwe	18 – 23	Kenya	Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe	Zimbabwe earn bonus for losing by less than 8 and Kenya for scoring 4 tries.
2010-07-24	1600h CAT	Zimbabwe	–	Uganda	Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe	Match cancelled

^[1]

2010 Final Table of Standings

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points	Bonus	TOTAL
Kenya	4	4	0	0	88	58	+30	16	2	18
Uganda	3	1	0	2	54	69	-15	4	1	5
Zimbabwe	3	0	0	3	43	58	-15	0	2	2

2010 points scorers

Player		Tries	Conversions	Penalties	Drop-goals	POINTS
Abuoga	Kenya		4	4		20
Ambunya	Kenya	1				5
Amonde	Kenya	1				5
Gurumani	Zimbabwe	1				5
Kiiza	Uganda		3	2		12
Kola	Kenya	1	1	2		13
Machanjaira	Zimbabwe	1				5
Mbanje	Zimbabwe	1				5
Mhende	Zimbabwe	1				5
Mudoola	Uganda	1				5
Makwanya	Zimbabwe		1	2		8
Mutai	Kenya	1				5
Odong	Uganda	1				5
Onen	Uganda	2				10
Robertson	Zimbabwe		1	1		5
Simiyu I	Kenya	6				30
Simiyu N	Kenya	2				10
Sseguya	Uganda	3	1			17
Tondoro	Zimbabwe	2				10
Wokorach	Uganda	1				5
TOTAL		26	11	11	0	185

Match 1: Kenya v Zimbabwe

The Kenya head coach Michael "Tank" Otieno is an ex-Kenyan international who had played against Zimbabwe four times in his career and lost each time (1981, 1985, 1987 and 1989). The captain, Innocent Simiyu, had previously played Zimbabwe twice and won each time (2002 and 2003).^[2] Though the last match between the two sides was won by Zimbabwe these results describe the changing relative strengths of the two sides over the past 30 years, Kenya are stronger than they were though in truth the greater part of this change is a lowering of the standard of the game in Zimbabwe.

The Kenya squad included two new caps in the youngsters from the Kenya Harlequins club, David Ambunya and Patrice "Situational" Agunda. This was the first Kenyan international match that involved a decision from a Television Match Official (TMO); early in the second half, Zimbabwe crossed the Kenyan line but the referee was unsighted and sent the decision upstairs. The TMO ruled that the Zimbabwean ball carrier had been held up so the try was not awarded.^[3][4] The sables were leading 3-7 at half time. This defeat ended a four-match winning run for Zimbabwe, though it was their third successive away defeat by Kenya.^[3][5][6]

2010-06-12 16:00 EAT (UTC+3)

(44th 49.68)  Kenya	11 – 10	Zimbabwe  (47th 46.91)
Try: I.Simiyu (1) Con: none Pen: P.Abuoga (1) M.Kola (1) Drop: none	Report 1 Report 2	Try: L.Machanjaira (1) Con: D.Robertson (1) Pen: D.Robertson (1) Drop: none

RFUEA Ground, Nairobi, Kenya Attendance: 3000 Referee: Ramsey Olinga (Uganda) Assistant Referee: Gilbert Kwaya (Uganda) Assistant Referee: David Kirabira (Uganda) Match Commissioner: Paul Sigombe (Uganda)

Team Lists

KENYA Player Club FB 15 Vincent Mose Impala RFC RW 14 Victor Sudi Kenya Harlequins OC 13 Innocent Simiyu (c) Impala RFC IC 12 Patrice Agunda Kenya Harlequins LW 11 Peter Abuoga Kenya Harlequins FH 10 Nato Simiyu Impala RFC SH 9 Peter Mutai Kenya Commercial Bank RFC  ≈55' LP 1 Joel Nganga Kenya Harlequins HK 2 Vincent Ongera Kenya Harlequins  ≈55' TP 3 Daniel Kiptoo Kenya Harlequins LL 4 Wilson K'Opondo Mean Machine RFC RL 5 Michael Aung (vc) Nondescripts RFC BF 6 Ben Nyambu Nondescripts RFC OF 7 David Mogere Kenya Harlequins N8 8 Paul Oimbo Impala RFC  ≈55' Substitutes: HK 16 Edwin Alubaka Kenya Commercial Bank RFC  ≈55' N8 17 Andrew Amonde Kenya Commercial Bank RFC  ≈55' 18 Tony Mutai Kenya Harlequins 19 Nzioka Muema Impala RFC SH 20 Moses Kola Impala RFC  ≈55' 21 David Ambunya Kenya Harlequins 22 Naftaly Bondo Kenya Harlequins Management: Head Coach: Michael Otieno Asst Coach: Edward Kinyany' Kenya Harlequins Asst Coach: Charles Ngovi Manager: Leonard Simiyu Physio:

ZIMBABWE (Sables) Player Club FB 15 Tafadzwa Mhende RW 14 Wesley Mbanje OC 13 Daniel Hondo IC 12 Paul Staak LW 11 Lloyd Machanjaira FH 10 Danny Robertson SH 9 Tapiwa Mafi LP 1 Vakai Hove HK 2 Justin Buchanan TP 3 Rocky Gurumani (c) LL 4 Fortune Chipendo RL 5 Zacks Tondoro BF 6 Gardner Nechironga OF 7 Jacques Leitao N8 8 Norman Mukondiwa Substitutes: 16 Denford Mutamangira 17 Prayer Chitenderu 18 Sanele Sibanda 19 Njabulo Ndlovu 20 Scott Jones 21 Josh Rowe 22 Paul Jessub Management: Head Coach: Brendon Dawson Asst Coach: Cyprian Mandenge Manager: Noddy Kanyangarara Doctor: Physio: Farai Muguwe

Match 2: Uganda v Zimbabwe

Sables' coach Brandon Dawson expressed displeasure at the referees' handled of both this and the Kenya game the previous week, stating that the quality of officiating is negatively impacting the development of the game in Africa. The match generated further press coverage when the Sables’ team manager Noddy Kanyangarara was accused of slapping the Ugandan liaison officer Chris Lubanga during an incident in which the Zimbabweans had complained about being booked into sub-standard accommodation. Lubanga is reported to have opened a case of assault at the Kira road police station.^[7][8]

However Dawson conceded that Zimbabwe can only focus on their own game and simply need to put these events and the two defeats behind them and move on.^[9] Kanyangarara said that the Zimbabwe team had wasted the few chances they had in the game, whereas Uganda had made the most of theirs.^[9]

2010-06-19 16:00 EAT (UTC+3)

(43rd 49.72)  Uganda	24 – 15	Zimbabwe  (48th 46.49)
Try: M.Wokorach T.Mudoola B.Odong Con: B.Kizza (2) R.Seguya Pen: B.Kizza Drop: None	Report 1 Report 2	Try: W.Mbanje Z.Tondoro (2) Con: None Pen: None Drop: None

Kyadondo Grounds, Kampala, Uganda Attendance: 3000

Team Lists

UGANDA (Rugby Cranes) Player Club FB 15 Simon Wakabi Uganda Kobs RFC RW 14 Allan Musoke Uganda Kobs RFC OC 13 Michael Wokorach (vc) Heathens RFC IC 12 Tim Mudoola Uganda Kobs RFC LW 11 Dennis Etuket Pirates RFC FH 10 Benon Kizza Heathens RFC SH 9 Faisal Gamma Heathens RFC LP 1 Ronald Adigasi Mongers RFC HK 2 Alexander Mubiru Heathens RFC TP 3 Brian Odong Uganda Kobs RFC LL 4 Victor Wadia Uganda Kobs RFC RL 5 Timothy Dumba Pirates RFC BF 6 Robert Seguya Heathens RFC OF 7 Mathias Ochwo (c) Heathens RFC N8 8 Moses Soita Pirates RFC Substitutes: 16 Solomon Mawanda Pirates RFC 17 Oscar Echulu Uganda Kobs RFC 18 Andrew Olweny[10] Mongers RFC 19 Steven Ogwete Uganda Kobs RFC 20 Phillip Karumuna Pirates RFC 21 Brian Jjemba Pirates RFC 22 Bishop Onen Heathens RFC Management: Head Coach: Ham Onsando Asst Coach: Sam Ahamya Manager: Brian Tabaruka Doctor: Dr.Leonard Were Physio: Benjamin Temper

ZIMBABWE (Sables) Player Club FB 15 Tafadzwa Mhende RW 14 Wesley Mbanje OC 13 Daniel Hondo IC 12 Paul Staak LW 11 Lloyd Machanjaira FH 10 Danny Robertson SH 9 Tapiwa Mafi LP 1 Vakai Hove HK 2 Justin Buchanan TP 3 Rocky Gurumani (c) LL 4 Fortune Chipendo RL 5 Zacks Tondoro BF 6 Gardner Nechironga OF 7 Jacques Leitao N8 8 Norman Mukondiwa Substitutes: 16 Peter Joubert 17 Prayer Chitenderu 18 Brian Makamure 19 Njabulo Ndlovu 20 Tichara Makwanya 21 Josh Rowe 22 Paul Jessub Management: Head Coach: Brendon Dawson Asst Coach: Cyprian Mandenge Manager: Noddy Kanyangarara Doctor: Physio: Farai Muguwe

Match 3: Uganda v Kenya

Prior to this match, Kenya were 41st on the IRB World rankings and 5th in Africa with 50.10 points, just a position and 0.01 points ahead of Uganda. The Kenyan victory earned them 0.30 points and a climb of 3 places to 38th, one shy of their best ever position since the World Rankings were introduced in October 2003.^[11] Uganda dropped to 43rd with 48.79 IRB points.

In the 2009 Elgon Cup, Uganda beat Kenya by 18-13 in Kampala but lost in Nairobi by 30-22, as holders, the Kenyans retained the trophy for a third consecutive year having won the cup in 2008. Kenya selected two international debutants to the replacements bench, Kevin Umbuge (scrum-half Impala RFC) and Felix Wanjala (lock/back-row Mean Machine RFC). Uganda selected Scot Oluoch and ex-captain John Musoke in their squad; Musoke missed the Zimbabwe game through commitments with the Uganda 7's team and Oluoch had been injured. Denis Etuket and Steven Ogwete were left out as a result.^[2] The match was televised live around the world on SuperSport 9 and, at their request, kickoff was moved forward from 16:30hrs to 16:00hrs due to the possibility of failing daylight affecting the quality of their feed towards the end of the match. This television coverage allowed for the use of a Television Match Official (TMO), the first occurrence of a TMO in Uganda, though his services were not required by the referee during the match.

The match was preceded on the same ground by the women's Elgon Cup match between Uganda and Kenya, Uganda winning 8 - 5.^[12]

2010-07-03 16:00 EAT (UTC+3)

(42nd 50.09)  Uganda	25 – 33	Kenya  (41st 50.10)
Try: Onen (1) R.Sseguya (3) Con: Kiiza (1) Pen: Kiiza (1) Drop: None	Report 1 Report 2	Try: I.Simuyu (2) T.Mutai(1) Amonde(1) Con: P.Abuoga (2) Pen: P.Abuoga (3) Drop: None

Kyadondo Grounds, Kampala, Uganda Referee: Andrew Roberts (Zimbabwe) Assistant referee: Nsikelelo Sibanda (Zimbabwe) Assistant referee: Gabriel Masenda (Zimbabwe) Television match official: Denis Odongkara (Uganda) Assessor: David Kirabira (Uganda)[13]

Team Lists

UGANDA Player Club FB 15 Benon Kiiza Heathens RFC RW 14 Philip Karumuna Pirates RFC OC 13 Faisal Gamma Heathens RFC IC 12 Andrew Olweny Mongers RFC LW 11 Mathias Ochwo (c) Heathens RFC FH 10 Robert Sseguya Heathens RFC SH 9 Romano Ogwal Impis RFC LP 1 Ronald Adigasi Mongers RFC HK 2 Alexander Mubiru Heathens RFC TP 3 Solomon Mawanda Pirates RFC LL 4 Brian Odong Uganda Kobs RFC RL 5 Oscar Echulu Uganda Kobs RFC BF 6 Victor Wadia Uganda Kobs RFC OF 7 Moses Soita Pirates RFC N8 8 Scott Oluoch Heathens RFC Substitutes: 16 Brian Jjemba Pirates RFC 17 John Musoke Rhinos RFC 18 Tim Mudoola Uganda Kobs RFC 19 Bishop Onen Heathens RFC 20 Michael Wokorach Heathens RFC 21 Allan Musoke Uganda Kobs RFC 22 Simon Wakabi Uganda Kobs RFC Management: Head Coach: Ham Osando Asst Coach: Sam Ahamya Manager: Doctor: Physio:

KENYA Player Club FB 15 Innocent Simiyu (c) Impala RFC RW 14 Peter Abuoga Kenya Harlequins OC 13 David Ambunya Kenya Harlequins IC 12 Patrice Agunda Kenya Harlequins LW 11 Victor Sudi Kenya Harlequins FH 10 Nato Simiyu Impala RFC SH 9 Moses Kola Impala RFC LP 1 Daniel Kiptoo Kenya Harlequins HK 2 Edwin Alubaka Kenya Commercial Bank RFC TP 3 Nzioka Muema Impala RFC LL 4 Anthony Mutai Kenya Harlequins RL 5 Michael Aung Nondescripts RFC BF 6 Andrew Amonde Kenya Commercial Bank RFC OF 7 Oscar Ouma Nakuru RFC N8 8 Lawrence Buyachi Impala RFC Substitutes: 16 Vincent Ongera Kenya Harlequins 17 Joel Nganga Kenya Harlequins 18 Ronnie Mwenesi Kenya Commercial Bank RFC 19 Kevin Umbuge Impala RFC 20 David Mogere Kenya Harlequins 21 Felix Wanjala Mean Machine RFC 22 Kelvin Omiyo Impala RFC Management: Head Coach: Michael Otieno Asst Coach: Edward Kinyany' Kenya Harlequins Asst Coach: Charles Ngovi Manager: Wangila Simiyu Physio: Chris Makachia

Match 4: Kenya v Uganda

By winning this match Kenya retained the Elgon Cup and secured the inaugural Victoria Cup for themselves; even if Zimbabwe were to earn the maximum ten points from their remaining two fixtures they could not overtake Kenya. Kenya rose three places in the IRB rankings to 35th (51.40 points) whilst Uganda dropped to 44th with 48.79 points. This match was preceded by a women's match between the two countries; Kenya women beat Uganda's Lady Cranes by 16 points to 8 meaning that they also secured the women's Elgon Cup.

This match took place in Nairobi on the day before the July 2010 Kampala attacks which killed and injured many people at Uganda's home ground. There were no reported deaths from the rugby team (as of 15 July 2010); some of the players that had returned from the trip were at the club but preferred to sit upstairs in the members bar and escaped the full force of the explosion.^[14]

2010-07-10 16:00 EAT (UTC+3)

(38th 51.40)  Kenya	21 – 5	Uganda  (43rd 48.79)
Try: Simiyu N. (2) Simiyu I. (1) Con: Abuoga (2) Kola (1) Pen: none Drop: none	Report	Try: Onen (1) Con: none Pen: none Drop: none

RFUEA Ground, Nairobi, Kenya Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa) Assistant referee: Simbarashe Dangah (Zimbabwe) Assistant referee: Gilbert Masenda (Zimbabwe) Television match official: Nicholas Gachoya Assessor: Oscar Oyowo[15]

Team Lists

KENYA Player Club FB 15 Peter Abuoga Kenya Harlequins RW 14 David Ambunya Kenya Harlequins OC 13 Victor Sudi Kenya Harlequins IC 12 Gray Cullen Nondescripts RFC LW 11 Kelvin Omiyo Impala RFC FH 10 Innocent Simiyu Impala RFC SH 9 Felix Wanjala Mean Machine RFC LP 1 Edwin Alubaka Kenya Commercial Bank RFC HK 2 Vincent Ongera Kenya Harlequins TP 3 Nzioka Muema Impala RFC LL 4 Kevin Umbuge Impala RFC RL 5 Ronnie Mwenesi Kenya Commercial Bank RFC BF 6 Lawrence Buyachi Impala RFC OF 7 David Mogere Kenya Harlequins N8 8 Oscar Ouma Nakuru RFC Substitutes: 16 Daniel Kiptoo Kenya Harlequins 17 Joel Ng’ang’a Kenya Harlequins 18 Anthony Mutai Kenya Harlequins 19 Andrew Amonde Kenya Commercial Bank RFC 20 Moses Kola Impala RFC 21 Nato Simiyu Impala RFC 22 Patrice Agunda Kenya Harlequins Management: Head Coach: Michael Otieno Asst Coach: Edward Kinyany' Manager: Simiyu Wangila Asst Coach: Charles Ngovi Physio: Christopher Makachia

UGANDA (Rugby Cranes) Player Club FB 15 Simon Wakabi Uganda Kobs RFC RW 14 Denis Etuket Pirates RFC OC 13 Michael Wokorach Heathens RFC IC 12 Timothy Mudoola Uganda Kobs RFC LW 11 Bishop Onen Heathens RFC FH 10 Benon Kizza Heathens RFC SH 9 Philip Karumuna Pirates RFC LP 1 Ronald Adigas Mongers RFC HK 2 Alex Mubiru Heathens RFC TP 3 Brian Odong Uganda Kobs RFC LL 4 Victor Wadia Uganda Kobs RFC RL 5 Moses Soita Pirates RFC BF 6 Robert Sseguya Heathens RFC OF 7 Mathias Ochwo Heathens RFC N8 8 Scott Oluoch Heathens RFC Substitutes: 16 Solomon Mawanda Pirates RFC 17 Oscar Ochulu Uganda Kobs RFC 18 Romano Ogwal Impis RFC 19 Timothy Dumba Pirates RFC 20 Jude Kermundu Heathens RFC 21 Brian Jemba Pirates RFC 22 John Musoke Rhinos RFC Management: Head Coach: Asst Coach: Manager: Doctor: Physio:

Match 5: Zimbabwe v Kenya

Zimbabwe were without most of their South Africa-based players due to club rugby commitments, the exceptions being Rocky Gurumani and Vakai Hove. Having lost both matches in the Victoria Cup so far, motivation is low and problems have been simmering in the Sables camp. Only 17 players turned up for the Wednesday evening training session prior to this match out of a 30 called up. There were also reports of an argument between Themba Sibanda (the Zimbabwe Rugby Union president) and head coach Brendan Dawson during a meeting between the technical team and the union’s leadership on the Wednesday prior to the match; although neither spoke publicly about the row. Union vice president Judith Chiyangwa was also reported to have walked out as tensions mounted

This was Kenya’s fourth victory against Zimbabwe in their 12 international encounters, although it the first time that Zimbabwe have lost to Kenya at home. It was Zimbabwe's third consecutive loss winning them the mkamshi (wooden spoon) in the inaugural Victoria Cup. They will have to win, or at the very least tie, their last match with Uganda to avoid the rasharasha (whitewash). Conversely Kenya, by winning all four matches secured the tulipiga makubwa (grand slam) and rose to an all-time high position of 32nd in the IRB World rankings (with 52.85 points); a rise of 12 places since the beginning of the 2010 competition.

2010-07-17 16:00 CAT (UTC+2)

(47th 46.94)  Zimbabwe	18 – 23	Kenya  (38th 51.04)
Try: Mhende (1) Gurumani (1) Con: Makwanya (1) Pen: Makwanya (2) Drop: none	Report	Try: Ambunya (1) Simiyu I. (2) Kola (1) Con: none Pen: Kola (1) Drop: none

Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)[16] Assistant Referee: Gabriel Masenda (Zimbabwe) Assistant Referee: Nonsikelelo Sibanda (Zimbabwe) Match commissioner: Freddy Ollows (Zimbabwe)

Team Lists

ZIMBABWE (Sables) Player Club FB 15 Danny Robertson RW 14 Paul Jessub OC 13 Daniel Hondo IC 12 Paul Staak LW 11 Lloyd Machanjaira FH 10 Tichafara Makwanya SH 9 Scotty Jones LP 1 Vakai Hove HK 2 Prayer Chitenderu TP 3 Rocky Gurumani (captain) LL 4 Fortune Chipendo RL 5 Zacks Tondoro BF 6 Shingi Mpofu OF 7 Jacques Leitao N8 8 Njabulo Ndlovu Substitutes: 16 Brian Makamure 17 Witness Mandizha Old Hararian RFC 18 Dimitri Zaverdinos 19 Tendai Takavarasha 20 Jan Ferreira Matabeleland Busters RFC 21 Rangarirai Zimbowa Harare Sports Club 22 Bruce Chibesa Management: Head Coach: Brendan Dawson Asst Coach: Manager: Doctor: Physio:

KENYA Player Club FB 15 Innocent Simiyu (captain) Impala RFC RW 14 Peter Abuoga Kenya Harlequins OC 13 David Ambunya Kenya Harlequins IC 12 Kelvin Omiyo Impala RFC LW 11 Calvin Biko Kenya Commercial Bank RFC FH 10 Nato Simiyu Impala RFC SH 9 Moses Kola Impala RFC LP 1 Nzioka Muema Impala RFC HK 2 Edwin Alubaka Kenya Commercial Bank RFC TP 3 Daniel Kiptoo Kenya Harlequins LL 4 Anthony Mutai Kenya Harlequins RL 5 Ronnie Mwenesi Kenya Commercial Bank RFC BF 6 Andrew Amonde Kenya Commercial Bank RFC OF 7 Oscar Ouma Nakuru RFC N8 8 Lawrence Buyachi Impala RFC Substitutes: 16 Vincent Ongera Kenya Harlequins 17 Joel Nganga Kenya Harlequins 18 Kevin Umbuge Impala RFC 19 David Mogere Kenya Harlequins 20 Duncan Ekasi- Impala RFC 21 Felix Wanjala Mean Machine RFC 22 Vincent Mose Impala RFC Management: Head Coach: Michael Otieno Asst Coach: Edward Kinyany' Manager: Simiyu Wangila Doctor: Physio: Christopher Makachia

Match 6: Zimbabwe v Uganda

The final match of the series was due to be played at 16:00 CAT (UTC+2) on 2010-07-24 at Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe between Zimbabwe (51st 46.15) and Uganda (44th 48.13). Following the terrorist incident at Uganda's home ground, the Kyadondo Rugby Club, in Kampala the day after their last game against Kenya in Nairobi it was decided to cancel the match.

The game would have served little purpose in the competition other than to determine second and third place as Kenya had already secured the cup. It may have affected world rankings and would have been good experience for both teams but the Uganda Rugby Union said that "a significant number of their players were at the rugby club" at the time of the blast, and as a result the Ugandans have asked that the match be cancelled.

The referee was to have been Marius Jonker (South Africa)^[17]

References