Uganda’s She Cranes opened their Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign in style, overcoming Wales 59-50 in a thrilling Pool B encounter after producing a dominant second-half comeback.
The match lived up to expectations from the opening whistle, with both sides trading goals in a tightly contested first quarter. Uganda edged the opening period, but Wales responded strongly in the second quarter, taking a 31-28 lead into halftime after capitalising on several turnovers.
The momentum shifted dramatically after the break.
Led by the outstanding Mary Cholhok, the She Cranes delivered a sensational third-quarter performance that turned the game on its head. Uganda tightened its defence, forced crucial errors from the Welsh attack and converted scoring opportunities with remarkable efficiency.
The She Cranes finished the contest with an impressive 97% shooting accuracy, underlining their clinical finishing in front of goal as they pulled away to secure a deserved nine-goal victory.
The result gives Uganda an ideal start in the highly competitive Pool B, which also features New Zealand, Jamaica, Scotland and Trinidad & Tobago.
For Wales, the defeat was particularly frustrating after holding the advantage at halftime, but Uganda’s intensity and composure after the interval proved decisive.
The victory will boost confidence within the Ugandan camp as the She Cranes continue their quest for another strong Commonwealth Games campaign, with Mary Cholhok’s commanding performance providing plenty of encouragement for the matches ahead.