POOR preparations and lack of proper organisation marred Gorillas' performance in this year's Hima10's rugby tournament held over the weekend at Kyadondo rugby ground in Kampala, Uganda.

The Rwandan side were grouped alongside Rhinos, Buffaloes and Rams (all Uganda). In the opening game, Gorillas got a walkover against Rhinos who never showed up but lost 0-10 to Buffaloes and Rams 0-21.

They reached the quarter finals of the main cup and lost 0-31 to Hima Impis and though they had good breaks, poor finishing cost the team chances of registering any point. Gorillas marched into the semi finals of Plate Cup but lost 3-10 to Utl Kobs.

Caretaker coach Joseph Bugabo, who came in to their rescue after they headed to Kampala without a technical team said the team played poorly altogether.

"The team was not mentally prepared because it was called abruptly yet they knew they would compete in the tournament early enough," the former New Times editor told this reporter by phone from Kampala yesterday.

He added, "Poor preparations forced the officials to assemble the team in a very short time whereas Ugandan teams expected to face a strong team."

The two-day tournament was won by MTN Heathens, who beat their junior side Buffaloes 31-5 in the final.