The second edition of the Kyadondo Women's 7's was held on Saturday 1st April at Kyadondo Rugby Club, in Kampala, Uganda. Kyadondo A and B from Kyadondo Rugby Club and Black Panthers from Kampala Rugby Club were the Ugandan teams while touring side Brown University A and B from Pennsylvania - USA, Silverbacks from Rwanda and Mwamba Invaders from Kenya gave the tourney an international flavour.

Kyadondo A, the defending champions, and Black Panthers kicked off the tournament. Kyadondo A easily brushed aside an inexperienced Black Panthers side 39 to 00, demolished the development Brown University B side 57 to 00 and overcame a fast improving Silverbacks team 27 to 0 to top Pool A. The Silverbacks were second in the pool after beating Black Panthers 17 to 0 and Brown University B 20 to 0. By the time Black Panthers and Brown University B faced each other neither side had won a game nor scored any tries during the tourney. It turned out to be a very close encounter with Black Panthers edging Brown University B, 10 to 05, to finish third in the pool hence qualified for the Plate final.

Pool B had one high scoring game with Brown University A thrashing Kyadondo B 40 - 00 to record the second highest scoring game of the day. Mwamba Invaders beat Kyadondo B 15 to 00 to keep them on track for a Main Cupsemifinal place. However, Brown University A surprised the 2004 Kyadondo 7's runners up, Mwamba Invaders, in a thrilling match that had both teams fighting until the dying seconds of the game to ensure they topped the pool. Brown University won the game 05 to 00 to finish first in Pool B. Kyadondo B went on to the Plate final as they had finished third behind the Mwamba Invaders.

The 1st Main Cup semifinal was a duel between Rwanda Silverbacks and Brown University A. In an exciting, physical game both teams at first seemed evenly matched but the American side eventually overpowered the Rwandese 15 to 05 to qualify for the Main Cup final.

Kyadondo A took on Mwamba Invaders in the 2nd Main Cup semifinal. It was billed to be one of the biggest matches of the day as the two teams were renewing their previous rivalry. The last 7's encounter between the two sides was during the Kabeberi 7's in Kenya in 2005, and was one of the most exciting finals ever played in East African women's rugby. The game went into extra time and both teams had to settle for a 05 to 05 draw and shared the winners trophy. However, this time round, Kyadondo A, cheered on by the home crowd, settled quickly into the game and did not give their Kenyan counterparts a chance to improve on their previous result. In a one sided encounter, Kyadondo A won the game 24 to 00 and by virtue of beating every East African team in the tourney can unofficially be considered the 2006 East African rugby 7's queens.

The Plate final turned out to be another close match with Black Panthers from Kampala Rugby Club taking on the Kyadondo B side. Kyadondo B was looking for their first try and first win of the day while Black Panthers were hoping to add another win to their belt. Kyadondo B beat Black Panthers by two tries to one in a very tightly contested final. Both teams exhibited a spirited display of rugby right up to the final whistle. The final score was 14 to 05 with Kyadondo B taking the 2006 Kyadondo Women's 7's Plate.

The Main Cup final was a contest of skills between Brown University A and Kyadondo A. Both sides threw their all into the game while their coaches, Mark Olweny (Kyadondo A) and Kerrissa Heffernan (Brown University A) yelled instructions and encouragement from the touchline. In the first half, Stephanie Bruce kept the tourists dream of winning the coveted winners' trophy alive with mesmerising runs and all round individual skills. However, Kyadondo A were not about to lose their unbeaten record and hard tackling from the entire team prevented the Americans from making any tries. The Ugandans fluid passes and deft sidestepping kept the crowd on their feet and they finally outpaced the Americans to cross the try line 3 times and with the final score at 19 to 00, were crowned the 2006 Kyadondo Women's 7's champions. It must be noted at this point that Kyadondo A were not only unbeaten but also did not concede any points the entire tournament.

The top try scorer award was closely contested between Kyadondo A's playmaker Rachel Kakaire and Brown University A's Stephanie Bruce. Rachel just pipped Stephanie to it with her 7 tries to Stephanie's 6.

The tournament Most Valuable Player award was also a close affair between the same two players. Stephanie Bruce, however, took the day's MVP award for her outstanding performance throughout the tourney.

The Brown University tour culminated in a 15 aside game the following day, Sunday 2nd April. Mwamba Invaders were unable to remain in Kampala to play the Americans as most of the players had busy work and school schedules. Luckily enough, the Rwandese team offered to stay an extra day and play in their place. As they did not have a full 15 aside squad, they borrowed players from Black Panthers and Kyadondo B. All sides were exhausted from the previous day's 7's tournament but still managed to put up a great display of 15 aside rugby. The game ended at 33 to 10 to Brown University to the delight of the Brown players while sensational Rwandese winger, Angelique "P. Diddy" Nzabamita sidestepped her way to a much deserved Player of the match award.

All in all, the Brown University tour of Kampala, Uganda was a great success and it is hoped that other rugby sides the world over can take a leaf out of their book and send touring ladies' sides to East Africa to sample our exciting brand of rugby and give us the much needed exposure to gauge ourselves against different sides from around the world.

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