Saturday

Semi-final playoffs Resilience 29-15 Lion de Fer Thousand Hills 32-10 Kamonyi Pumas

Resilience RFC showed that fitness can beat skill and experience as they defeated Lion de Fer 29-15 in the semi-final to set up a final clash against Thousand Hills in the National Rugby League play-offs played on Saturday at the Gatenga Youth Centre.

Resilience captain Donatien Ufitimfura grabbed a brace and winger Joel Makwani a hat-trick with Samuel Nyeziyimana and Samuel Nirere managing a conversion each as the Rusizi-based outfit outran an under strength Lions side that started with only 12 players.

Despite more polished skills, Lion de Fer managed just a first half penalty through Olivier Uwamahoro, a late Victorien Umuhire try and conversion, and another from GodGives Niyonzima.

After the game Ufitimfura said, "We prepared very well for this match and skill-wise, we weren’t going to lose to Lion de Fer, we have dreamt about this since we started the league.”

However, he admitted that they have to improve play at the rucks for the final against Thousand Hills who demolished Kamonyi Pumas 32-10 in the other semi-final. The final is scheduled for September 24. 

Kamonyi Pumas proved why no team should be taken lightly as the visitors showed intent by scoring the first point through a penalty by Emmanuel Hatangimana, who later added a try and conversion but had a poor day missing 4 penalties.

Chris Sibomana crossed over for the Thousand Hills, a controversial try that killed the visitor’s morale.

The hosts added more tries through Didier Kamanzi, Fils Fidel Irumva and Jean d’Amour Nsegimana, Diego Dusenge (2), who scored the only conversion Juma Adams’ team.

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