Uganda Cup Results
Winner: Kobs Rugby Club
1st runner-up: Heathens RFC
2nd runner-up: Black Pirates RFC
Shield Winner: Makerere Impis
Shield Runner-up: Mulago Rams
Kobs Rugby Club won the 2019 Uganda Cup after outclassing arch-rivals Heathens RFC in the final played at Kings Park, Bweyogerere on Saturday.
Ivan Kirabo heroically slotted in the conversion give the Betway-sponsored Kobs lead for the first time in the game after new signing Paul Sekate touched down from a pick-and-drive.
Heathens put points on the board early in the game -scoring from a lineout maul at the five-meter line. Aaron Ofoyrwoth failed to add the extras as he missed the conversion.
Kobs got back in the game as Justin Kimono powered his way through the midfield to dive in the corner and score stylishly but the game stayed level after Ivan Kirabo missed the conversion.
Heathens took a 08-05 lead into the break after returnee fullback Joseph Oyet kicked an easy penalty 20m away between the uprights. The second half saw both sides give away numerous penalties.
Conrad Mukwaya was sent to the bin for an illegal tackle on Scott Oluoch. Heathens capitalised from the man advantage and stretched their lead to 6 points through two Joseph Oyet penalties to bring the score to 14-08.
In the closing minutes, Heathens were reduced to 14 men after repeated infringements, and this gave Kobs chance to score a try that sent anxious fans into wild celebrations. Ivan Kirabo, who had missed 4 kicks in the match made no mistake this time around as he added extras to seal Kobs’ eighth Ugandan Cup triumph.
In the third-place play-off of the main cup that preceded this emotional final, Black Pirates edged Entebbe Mongers by a solitary point to finish their disappointing campaign in third place. It was a well-struck William Nkore penalty late in the game that sealed the victory for the two-time champions.
Across the city at the Graveyard in Makerere, it was also a one-point game in the Shield Final as Makerere Impis locked horns with Mulago Rams in a highly charged derby. Makerere Impis won 13-14 through one try by Pius Mpoza and three penalties from returnee Henry Nsekuye.
