Stanbic Black Pirates on Saturday, 13th November 2021 beat Betway Kobs 21-05 in the Main Cup final of the Western Circuit (fifth circuit) of the Guinness 7s at Kabale Stadium.
The Kabale win implies that Black Pirates are now only three points behind Kobs with the Guinness 7s winding down this coming weekend in Kampala. Kobs still lead the series table with 102 points while Black Pirates are on 99 points, 10 points ahead of third placed Heathens.
In the Kabale (Kigezi 7s) final, Pirates ran in three converted tries while Kobs touched down once but failed to convert.
In the first half, Conrad Wanyama opened the scoring for the Sea Robbers after sliding past Kobs’ Alhaji Manano. Skipper Ivan Magomu easily converted from near the sticks.
Black Pirates ended the first half with an impressive 14-00 lead. Desire Ayera capitalized on a ball kicked from their own half to touch down after Kobs failed to keep up with the chase. Magomu was quick to utilize the conversion.
After restart, Kobs’ Byron Oketayot thought he had brought his side back to the game but his touchdown was ruled out for he stepped on the line as he raced towards the white wash. However, Justin Kimono would finally earn Kobs their first points of the game with a try off a ball from a scrum but the extras for his efforts were not utilized.
With Kobs seeking redemption, Black Pirates instead ensured that they don’t lose the circuit triumph which was already at their grasp. Alex Aturinda split past Kobs’ bodies to touch down as Magomu once again converted to earn his side a 21-05 victory in a circuit co-hosted by Kigezi Silverbacks and Rams RFC.
Black Pirates now claim back to back circuit wins having triumphed at Kings Park, Bweyogerere during the Henry Rujumba Sevens where they beat Kobs in the semis and later Heathens in the finals. Black Pirates had dropped points against Kobs in the finals of the first two circuits.
The Guinness 7s will come to a close this coming weekend (20th & 21st November) at Legends Grounds in Kampala. The final leg will be hosted by Kobs and will be organized by Beyond Sports Organization (BSO).
The finale is a tricky outing for both Kobs and Black Pirates with the former needing to get past the semis to possibly claim the title while the latter require a win and also hope that former is beaten in a post-group stage match but before reaching the final.
Guinness 7s, Western Circuit selected results
*Finals
Black Pirates 21-05 Kobs
*Semis
Black Pirates 26-05 Jinja Hippos
Heathens 07-19 Kobs
*Quarters
Black Pirates 31-00 Rams
Heathens 27-00 Sailors
Kobs 29-00 Mongers
Buffaloes 05-14 Jinja Hippos
Guinness 7s schedule.
*1st Leg : 2nd & 3rd October. Warriors/Legends (Central Circuit). Winners: Kobs
*2nd Leg: 9th October. Gulu Elephants/Gulu grounds (Northern Circuit). Winners: Kobs
*3rd Leg: 16th October. Soroti. Rangers/ Soroti Stadium (Eastern Circuit). Winners: Kobs
*4th Leg: 6th/7th November. Black pirates/ King’s Park (Central Circuit). Winners: Black Pirates
*5th Leg: 13th November. Rams RFC/ Kabale Stadium (Western Circuit). Winners: Black Pirates
*6th Leg: 20th/21st November. BSO/Legends (Central Circuit).
