The Stanbic Black Pirates made a statement of intent on Saturday afternoon, defeating rivals KCB KOBs 24-20 to get into the winning column.
Hot-footed winger Arnold Atukunda registered a try on either side of the game to add to Haruna Muhammad’s and Sydney Gongodyo’s tries to get the Pirates’ first win of the season.
Going into this game, both teams needed a victory, having suffered away defeats on opening weekend. Haruna Muhammad opened the scoring with a characteristic short show-and-go, and a few moments later, the Pirates were back in with a try through the hard-running Sydney Gongodyo. Ivan Magomu converted to bring the game to 12-00.
The KOBs got on the board with a Rasul Abiriga penalty. Still, the Pirates were back in the try-scoring business as Haruna Muhammad set up speedster Atukunda in the corner for try number three of the Pirates. With a man in the bin and the game seemingly running away from the KOBs, they dug deep for a proper prop’s try when Saul Kivumbo crossed over. Abiriga converted, adding a penalty moments later to send the game into the break with Pirates leading 17-13.
A seesaw second half saw no signs of both teams letting the other gain an advantage when Haruna Muhammad set up Atukunda out wide. The winger ran through the try area and scored close to the posts to put the game to bed seemingly. Al-Hajj Manano would catch the Pirates napping for an easy try next to the posts, and Abiriga converted to inject malaria into the game late on. KOBs tried one more push while on the front foot, but the ball was judged unplayable when Haruna sealed off the attacker, and the referee blew the whistle to hand Pirates a 24-20 win.
Elsewhere, Hippos registered a second-half comeback to win against Barbarians. Gift Wokorach and Godfrey Odongo put Barbarians 10-00 ahead, but a Yasin Wasswa penalty and conversion for one of Andrew Odhiambo’s two tries momentarily put Hippos 15-10 in the lead in the first half. Ivan Bulima would score a try, and a Gift Wokorach conversion and penalty would hand Barbarians a 20-15 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Meddy Bagalana continued the romance between the Hippos rugby and the Bagalana household with a try, fully converted by Yasin Wasswa to put the Hippos 22-20 ahead. Odhimabo would complete his hat-trick, and Yasin Wasswa would score a try of his own plus a penalty to inspire the Hippos to a 39-28 win away at the filled Abel Dhaira stadium.
Rhinos came back from 11-15 down at halftime to defeat Impis 30-20. Buffaloes ran in three tries to hand the Eagles their first top-flight defeat, winning 21-05. Mongers were 18-06 winners at Makerere against the Rams, while the Heathens were stainless against Warriors, winning 39-00.
Week 2 Collated Results
- Pirates 24-20 Kobs
- Rams 06-18 Mongers
- Heathens 39-00 Warriors
- Rhinos 30-20 Impis
- Eagles 05-21 Buffaloes
- Walukuba 28-39 Hippos
