Budo earn three peat, hockey Bulls gore Lions

King's College Budo showed immense lasting power to beat eternal rivals Namilyango College 14-13 in the boys' rugby 15s final at the Secondary Schools Ball Games 1 Championships yesterday. 

The match played at the Mbale Rugby Union ground in Busamaga was delayed, from 9am to 11.30am, after some unsuccessful player petitions from Namilyango.

When all was resolved, Namilyango came out of the blocks quicker than anyone, including them, would have expected.

Titus Nyonyintono scored a a try in the first minute but they failed to convert. Moments later, Mark Ssekadde made it 10-0 from another try. Shortly after that, Nyonyintono scored a drop goal to make it 13-0 and one would be forgiven for thinking in that moment that Namilyango were running away with it.

Budo, however, turned on the grit we have grown to characterize them with in recent years. Just before the break, they more than halved the deficit when Caleb Nimaro scored a try that Arthur Lukoda converted to make it 13-7.

When the sides returned, their strength came to the fore. Namilyango tried to retain the ball but the possession was sterile and some decisions sloppy while Budo defended resolutely to stay in the game until they scored at the death through Lukoda's converted try with three minutes to play.

Both sides will be in Kakemega for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (Feasssa) Games in August. Budo, however, have struggled at that level previously because they team usually changes as candidates are at times not allowed to travel.

"We have cracked the code and now it comes down to the consent of the parents," Budo coach Brian Makalama, said without divulging details of how he has deepened his squad.

Mbarara derby

In boys' hockey, Deliver "Bush" Atuhaire lived up to his name as he rose through the crowd to punish Ntare Lions 2-0 from a penalty corner and stroke in either half in a final played at Bukedea Township Primary School. 

The win gave the Bulls of Mbarara High School their first ever schools' game national title but they too had to keep Ntare's Ian Baguma at bay, especially during penalty corners.

Kakungulu Memorial also beat St. Charles Lwanga SS Kasasa 1-0 through a penalty corner converted by Stella Nankinga to retain the girls' hockey title.

St. Noa, Bukedea doubles

Amus College, who hosted the basketball games, ensured one trophy stayed home when they beat St. Cyprian Kyabakadde 57-42 in the boys' final.

But their aims of running away with two trophies at the Games ended in jeopardy after they were beaten by St. Noa 5-4 on penalties after a 1-all draw in regulation time in the girls' football final, which was the highlight of the closing ceremony held at Bukedea Comprehensive School (BSC) Stadium.

St. Noa had earlier on won the girls' basketball title after beating St. Mary's College Kitende 50-36.

The overall hosts BCS also won the boys' and girls' U-16 volleyball trophies after beating Wampeewo Ntake and Masheruka Girls 2-0 respectively. 

Kibuli SS still ruled the racket games bagging gold in girls' and boys' table tennis at the expense of Mbogo High and Mbogo Mixed schools respectively. 

Mbogo High had the consolation of winning girls' badminton gold at the expense of Rubaga Girls while Kibuli added a third trophy in boys' badminton after outclassing Kinaawa High School Kawempe in Mbale.

RUGBY FINALS

Boys: Budo 14-13 Namilyango

Girls: Nkoma SS beat Airfoce, St. John's Wakitaka in a round robin

HOCKEY FINALS

Boys: Ntare 0-2 Mbarara High

Girls: Kakungulu 1-0 St. Charles Lwanga Kasasa

NETBALL U-16 FINALS

Madinah Islamic 24-21 Kyanja HS

BASKETBALL FINALS

Girls: St. Noa 50-36 St. Mary's Kitende

Boys: Amus College 57:42 St.Cyprian Kyabakade

VOLLEYBALL FINALS

Boys: Wampewo Ntake 0-2 Bukedea Comprehensive 

Girls: Bukedea Comprehensive 2-0 Masheruka Girls

TABLE TENNIS FINALS 

Boys: Kibuli SS 3-0 Mbogo Mixed 

Girls: Kibuli SS 3-0 Mbogo HS 

BADMINTON FINALS 

Boys: Kibuli SS 3-0 Kinaawa HS Kawempe 

Girls: Mbogo HS 3-0 Rubaga Girls 

GIRLS FOOTBALL FINALS 

St. Noa 1(5)-1(3) Amus College