Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Saturday, 14th January Results
*Pirates 24-18 Heathens
*Kobs 76-00 Walukuba
*Hippos 22-25 Impis
*Buffaloes 40-12 Rhinos
*Mongers 11-09 Rams
Stanbic Black Pirates showed more guts and grit against arch rivals Platinum Credit Heathens during the opening match of the 2023 Nile Special Rugby Premier League on Saturday at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere, beating them 24-18 to claim the matchday gold infront of a huge fan base.
Joshua Engwau scored the first try of the season to hand the hosts a deserved lead following a quick execution in the right flank of the pitch.
Alex Aturinda (man of the match), Timothy Kisiga and Moses Olweny also featured on Pirates try sheet as the side avenged the Uganda Cup loss they suffered against the same side less than a month ago.
Now playing in his 15th season with Heathens, Michael Wokorach was among the try scorers for the yellow machine.
Nobert Okeny also featured on the try sheet while Joseph Oyet and Chris Lubanga did the kicking.
After game day one, Pirates are third on the 10-team top tier league table with four points while Heathens are eighth with one point.
Meanwhile, Kobs picked the biggest win of the day after condemning newcomers Walukuba Barbarians to a 70-00 mauling at Legends Grounds in Kampala. They lead the table with five points while the latter are at the rock bottom of the table with no point.
At Kyadondo Sports Club in Kampala, Buffaloes put up a strong show in the second half to beat Rhinos 40-12. The former also picked a bonus point win and are second on the table while the latter are ninth on the table with no point.
At the House of Pain in Entebbe, Mongers managed to pick a slim 11-09 win over Rams. They are fifth on the table with four points while the latter are six with one point.
At Dam Waters in Jinja, Impis beat hosts Hippos 22-25 and the latter were the only side to lose at home in the opening weekend. Impis are fourth with four points whilst Hippos are seventh with one point.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Saturday, 21st January fixtures
*Buffaloes vs Heathens @Kyadondo
*Mongers vs Hippos @Entebbe
*Rams vs Kobs @Makerere
*Rhinos vs Pirates @Legends
*Impis vs Walukuba @Makerere.
