Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Saturday Results
*Pirates 18-23 Heathens
*Rhinos 07-64 Kobs
*Buffaloes 42-16 Warriors
*Mongers 15-11 Impis
*Hippos 50-13
Heathens have consolidated their position at the top of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League after beating perennial rivals Stanbic Black Pirates 18-23 on Saturday at Kings Park Arena Bweyogerere, Kampala.
The win implies that Heathens who have completed a double over Pirates extend their lead in the 2022 campaign to 72 points while the latter who were second before the match drop to third with 64 points.
Kobs have moved from third to second with 66 points (six behind Heathens) after picking a commanding 07-64 win over Rhinos at Legends Grounds. The latter however remain eighth on the 10-team table with 16 points.
At Kings Park, Heathens came out hot and within a short stint Reynolds Kato touched down to set the away fan zone ablaze. However, Chris Lubanga didn’t utilize the extras.
Pirates would later reduce Heathens’ lead to just two points when they utilized a penalty kick.
Heathens would later extend their lead through a Norbert Okeny try. However, Lubanga once again didn’t utilize the extras.
Pirates ensured that they once again reduce Heathens’ lead and their penalty towards the end of the first half ensured that the teams returned to the dressing rooms with Heathens leading by just four points (06-10).
In the second half, the home side returned charged up and Kevin Balagadde got the first try of the match to the excitement of the home crowd. Ivan Magomu’s conversion ensured that the Sea Robbers post a 13-10 lead, the first time they’re ahead in the game.
Pirates excitement was short-lived as Aaron Ofoyrwoth reinstated Heathens’ lead minutes later. Lubanga’s first successful conversions was even more important as the “yellow machine” took charge.
Timothy Kisiga touched down late for Pirates but Heathens’ pair of penalties before he did so ensured that the game ended 18-23 in favor of the Kyadondo based side.
“It was the biggest game of the season for us. We knew what we wanted and we got it.
The team played well and we were resilient and it paid out,” Heathens Captain Michael Wokorach said after the game.
Pirates Captain Ivan Magomu says that missed chances coated them victory but focus now turns to the next game against Kobs.
“It was a game of small margins, we failed to utilized some of our penalties,” Magomu said adding that Heathens pressed high and that’s why they quickly regained the lead.
Meanwhile, with just three games left to wind down the two-round league, Warriors seem to be favorites to get relegated and a 42-16 loss to Buffaloes at Kyadondo now compounds their misery as they stuck at the bottom with 8 points.
At the House of Payne in Entebbe, Mongers beat Impis 15-11 while at the Dam Waters in Jinja Hippos beat Rams 50-13.
