Rugby Premier League
Saturday, 10th April 2021 (Gameday 5) Results
*Kobs 19-11 Heathens
*Jinja Hippos 30-00 Rams
*Mongers 26-14 Buffaloes
*Black Pirates 61-06 Rhinos
*Impis 23-11 Warriors
Kobs have heightened their credentials for winning the 2021 Rugby Premier League title after registering a 19-11 win over defending champions Heathens on Saturday at Legends Grounds in Kampala.
With Joseph Aredo away on national duty, James Ijongat took charge of kicking for Kobs, managing 14 points off three penalty kicks, one drop kick and a conversion from Karim Arinaitwe’s second half try.
Both sides started the match on a low key and by half time, the teams were tied level with a 3-3 scoreline resulting from penalty kicks from James Ijongat (Kobs) and Joseph Oyet (Heathens). Oyet would have earned his side a half time lead but his attempt for the ‘H’ went wide just moments before the break.
After the half time break, Ijongat earned the home side a six points lead off two penalty kicks with Heathens struggling to gain territory on a foreign turf.
However, moments later, Kobs conceded their first try of the season when Heathen’s centre Gerald Sewankambo charged past their backline bodies to touch down. However, Oyet who had missed a penalty kick earlier on failed to utilize the extras that would have earned his side a one point lead.
With Heathens attempting a comeback, Karim Arinaitwe ensured that the title holders cause no harm as he slotted home with Ijongat utilizing the extras to earn Kobs a 16-08 lead heading into the final stages of the game.
Oyet would later manage another penalty kick for the visitors as Ijongat scored a drop kick to earn Kobs a ‘very important’ 19-11 win.
Kobs now lead the Rugby Premier League table with 24 points, five ahead of Heathens who have dropped from second to fourth.
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However, Black Pirates who posted a 61-06 win against Rhinos on the day at Kings Park, Bweyogerere are now second on the table with 21 points, just one ahead of third placed Jinja Hippos who condemned ninth placed Rams to a 30-00 win at Dam Waters.
With this season’s league being played in only one round due to the cost of running games in Covid-19 times, the Saturday result could have possibly sparked of ‘title talk’ in Kobs camp who are now favorites to relieve Heathens of the title.
