Avengers and Toyota Buffaloes pulled off major upsets in the men’s and women’s Cup Finals respectively during the Gulu 7s tournament.
Avengers came from one try down at half time to beat series leaders Thunderbirds by 14-10 points. Thunderbirds had taken the lead through Sandra Amoli Lona but Avengers responded through Juliet Nandawula and Maimuna Nassozi who also kicked two clutch conversions to make it 14-05.
Comfort Anganyika sprinted over to close the gap but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Thunderbirds have relinquished their women’s Gulu 7s title won last year to Avengers.
Women’s Gulu 7s Podium:
1. Avengers
2. Thunderbirds
3. Walukuba Titans
The men’s final was scoreless in the first half as Buffaloes took the fight to Walukuba. Then the Kyadondo boys engaged an extra gear in the second half and took the lead through captain Fat Moses Watmon.
A second successive Cup Final victory wasn’t meant to be for Walukuba as they repeatedly committed handling errors with ball in hand.
The men’s Gulu 7s title stays at Kyadondo Rugby Club but switches cabinets from Heathens’ to Buffaloes’.
Men’s Gulu 7s Podium:
1. Toyota Buffaloes
2. Walukuba Barbarians
3. Rhinos
Maimuna Nassozi (Avengers) and Liam Walker (Buffaloes) won the MVP awards.
Despite defeats in the Cup Finals, Thunderbirds and Walukuba Barbarians maintain their positions as the women’s and men’s series leaders.
The 2025 Nile Special Uganda Rugby 7s Series now takes a break. It will resume on August 23-24 with the Entebbe 7s tournament.
