Thousand Hills out to claim rugby league title in debut season

Thousand Hills will be aiming to make history by winning the Rugby League title in their debut season when they take on reigning champions Remera Buffaloes today at UTEXRWA grounds, Gacuriro.

Saturday, May 09, 2015

Thousand Hills will be aiming to make history by winning the Rugby League title in their debut season when they take on reigning champions Remera Buffaloes today at UTEXRWA grounds, Gacuriro.

The newcomers finished second in the Kigali League in the regular season with 14 points from six games before defeating Muhanga RFC, winners in the Southern League in the semi-final play-offs.

In an interview with this paper, Thousand Hills captain Yvan Muhire said they were prepared and ready for the Buffaloes. He explained that, "All our players are fit, and some have been playing at their respective schools. Buffaloes have experience but we will try to match that.”

He added that they would spread the ball and support each other against an aged Buffaloes back-line albeit more experienced.

The Buffaloes will welcome back scrum-half Moise Fils Habumugisha from a fractured arm injury. Buffaloes captain Vincent Kamali said, "Moise will help make sure the backs are supplied with the ball. We will use our stronger pack and be quick on defense.” 

Meanwhile, the University of Rwanda Grizzlies will be hoping to overcome Muhanga RFC in the third place playoff.

Grizzlies captain Claude Mudaheranwa is eager to emerge victorious. "We want to win third place so as to give morale to the new players,” he said

The university side has largely inexperienced players following major injuries to starters like Paul Njuguna, a scrum-half and Martin Kundakuvuga, a hooker.

Muhanga, who were fourth in the 2013 season, are positive that they will register a better position this season.