Cosmos Buffalo emerge 2012 Rugby 7s League champs

Cosmos Buffaloes escaped the threat of Legon Titans on the final match day to clinch the ultimate as winners of this year’s Rugby 7s league by just a solitary point last Sunday. The athletics oval of the University of Ghana was the setting as Titans, team of the University, trailed Cosmos by that single point going into the final round of matches.

Titans who have improved tremendously this year, were confident of upstaging Cosmos, but alas it was never to be as both teams earned walkovers following the failure by their respective opponents to turn up.

In the event, Cosmos Buffaloes got the mandatory three points and five tries as reward against the absent Teshie Spartans. Legon Titans got same reward, 3 points, 5 tries, versus Accra Warriors who did not show up. Buffaloes thus emerged champions on 22 points and 121 tries to beat Titans who amassed 21 points on 100 tries.

“It’s very great but we are not surprised because we set out to win it from the onset. We are supposed to be defending this title, not competing for it,” said Cosmos coach Amuzuloh K.A. Salim in his moment of ecstasy.

He added: “We are happy but the sky is the limit. You could see the boys and the type of competition they put up. We hope that in some years to come, we’ll be able to participate in the Olympics and win laurels for Ghana.”

For their prize for winning the tournament sponsored by food manufacturers Nurevas Ghana, Cosmos received a huge trophy and GH¢500 cash, whilst Legon Titans got GH¢300 for their runner-up finish with 3rd placed Dansoman Hurricanes receiving GH¢200 in a massive prize giveaways.

There was consolation for Titans as their player Jonas Agyiri was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament with whipping boys Ketu Lions winning the Most Resilient Team trophy for being the only side coming outside of the Greater Accra Region.

Special awards were also given out to Nurevas Ghana Ltd for sponsoring the competition, Savanna Minerals Water for providing water and minerals, Odo Rice for consistently providing food for national team players in camp and to the University of Ghana Sports Directorate for providing the pitch.

Cosmos Buffaloes of course finished tops ahead of Legon Titans with Dansoman Hurricanes finishing 3rd with 14 points on 77 tries. 4th were Accra Warriors who also got 14 points but with 70 tries as Idas Sports Rugby Club took finished 5th on 12 points and 65 tries.

Accra Sharks ended 6thwith 7 points and 41 tries whilst both whipping boys Ketu Lions and Teshie Spartans finished 7th and 8th respectively with both boasting one point apiece and no tries in seven league games each.

In the end, Gifty Annan-Myers, President of the Ghana Rugby Association hailed the event a resounding success and reserved special words of praise for the Nurevas sponsors.

“It’s been very successful on all fronts. Increasing the number of clubs, level of play, getting stakeholders involved like National Sports Authority lending support, having officials from Australia coming down to play with the boysm helping the officials,” Madam Annan-Myers said.

She added, melodiously: “It’s been very good and all credit to Nurevas Ghana Limited for their sponsorship. It has helped us tremendously. Nurevas has taken a huge step in being new to the market but they’ve decided to sponsor us. We are grateful and thankful.”