Nile Special Rugby Premiership
Weekend Fixtures
4: 30 PM – Jinja Hippos vs Walukuba Barbarians @Dam Waters
4: 30 PM – Stanbic Black Pirates vs Dusupay Warriors @Kings Park
4: 30 PM – Plascon Mongers vs Hima Cement Heathens @House of Payne
2: 30 PM – Toyota Buffaloes vs Betway Kobs @Kyadondo
2: 30 PM – Shell Rimula Rhinos vs MRI Rams @Legends
Jinja Hippos was the last team to register victory during the first round of the 2018/19 Nile Special Rugby Premiership. Their first win was against MRI Rams at home prior to the festive season. Hippos made amends and are now seventh on the 10-team table with 18 points, four ahead of eighth placed Shell Rimula Rhinos. Hippos host Walukuba Barbarians this Saturday at Dam Waters in one of their remaining four league fixtures. During the first ever Jinja derby played last year at the Abel Dhaira Memorial Stadium, Walukuba won 14-12, thanks to Godwin Abwang and Alex Aturinda tries that were converted by Pool Kalungi. Alot has changed in the Hippos camp and Coach Saidi Atibu is confident that they will easily see-off the struggling league debutants who are yet to win a second game. “Rugby Cranes Coach Robert Sseguya has been training with us and he has fixed our defense. The offense is also gaining shape and we shall surely beat Walukuba,” Atibu noted. Sseguya had sessions with Hippos ahead of Rams clash and they stunned the Makerere based side with a last kick penalty to claim their first win of the season. The Jinja derby is Hippos last game at home. Needless to say is the revenge plot by Hippos as confirmed by Coach Atibu. “They have to pay for beating us in the first round. We coming very strong this time round,” he noted. Hippos have had a good run at home; beating Rams, Buffaloes, Mongers and Rhinos at their backyard. Their 24-25 loss to Warriors is one of their painful moments. For Walukuba, they are now faced with the reality of getting relegated as they sit at the rock bottom with just six points, five behind ninth placed Rams.
