While the 2025 women’s 7s series title has been claimed by Thunderbirds, the title race in the men’s competition is far from over.
Walukuba Barbarians were a distance away atop the overall series until Toyota Buffaloes reeled them back in during the Kabale 7s penultimate stop last weekend.
At the Kabale Main Stadium, both Walukuba and Buffaloes were undefeated from the pool phase through the knockout round until they met in the men’s Cup Final on Sunday evening.
Buffaloes got the better of Walukuba by 14-12 (HT: 14-12) points courtesy of tries by captain Watmon Fat Moses and Douglas Musoke plus two crucial conversions by Aziz Karim and Ronald Ogwang. Walukuba’s tries were scored by Gift Wokorach and Shafik Manisur (converted by Ivan Bulima).
This was Buffaloes’ third victory over Walukuba as the former continued being the stone in the latter’s shoe.
The final standings mirrored the overall series rankings from the first position until the fifth.
Final Standings at Kabale 7s:
1. Toyota Buffaloes
2. Walukuba Barbarians
3. Platinum Credit Heathens
4. Stanbic Black Pirates
5. Rhinos
6. Hippos
7. Elgon Wolves
8. Kampani Eagles
9. KCB KOBs
10. Gulu City Falcons
11. Plascon Mongers
12. Lifeguard Rams
13. Buddu Bears*
14. Tooro Lions*
15. Kigezi Silverbacks*
16. KIU Crows*
Crucially for Buffaloes, they trimmed the deficit to Walukuba by three points which boosted their chances in the title permutations.
Overall Series Rankings after Stop Six:
1 Walukuba Barbarians 116
2 Buffaloes 107
3 Heathens 95
4 Pirates 90
5 Rhinos 77
6 KOBs 76
7 Hippos 62
8 Rams 53
9 Mongers 52
10 Eagles 48
11 Elgon Wolves 43
12 Gulu Falcons 24
But still, as it stands, Walukuba, with their nine-point, are the favourite to be crowned champions after the Buffaloes 7s.
All they will need to do on their own is reach the semifinals and the job will be done.
