The KCB KOBs mounted a serious comeback to defeat Platinum Credit Heathens at Kyadondo for the first time in 10 years, winning 18-13. The Stanbic Black Pirates reversed a point deficit from Jinja to win 27-23 at home at Kings Park Arena against the Jinja Hippos
1. The Heathens bleed.
For the first time this year, the Platinum Credit Heathens lost a game. The KOBs might have been the ones to tell everyone else that but going into the finals, the Pirates will now fancy their chances a lot more than they would have if Heathens had reached the last hurdle untainted.
The Heathens ran through the entire division during the regular season without a loss. Only the Hippos came close, salvaging a last minute draw. That loss to KOBs guarantees that there will not be an undefeated champion at the end of the road.
2. Kings Park for the party of two
Kings Park Arena joins the Dam Waters, home of the Jinja Hippos, as the only home fortresses in the championship as the home teams haven’t tasted defeat there this entire season.
By beating the Jinja Hippos in the second round, the Pirates sealed this undefeated-at-home status, the same the Hippos did when the roles were reversed the weekend before.
Party like a Pirate soon, maybe? We’ll have to ask Abitex Massa and Bajjo Nathan.
3. You do me, I do you.
The teams that won the first round of the semifinals, lost the second round. At the end of the games, everyone of the teams had a win to their name and some of their pride, and could only be set apart by scoring aggregate record.
At Kyadondo, former Uganda Cranes U20 Skipper Calvin Gizamba reversed the script on his predecessor, Daniel Malcolm Okello. The latter kicked Heathens into the win when the two met at Legends in the first leg, but the former had his revenge in the second leg, kicking six penalties for the win.
At Kings Park, Rugby Cranes captain Ivan Magomu was at his menacing best, kicking for fun and giving the Pirates every ounce of breathing space, putting the game beyond the Hippos. In the first round of this fixture, the Hippos stifled the Pirates of any kicking opportunities, eventually catching up and passing them for the win.
4. Adrian Kasito is a god
It is really not news that Adrian Kasito is a small god. He has figured out this rugby thing pretty well. He can run, pass, kick and lest we forget, tackle.
The semifinals showed that he hasn’t missed a beat in the 15-a-side game despite being away from it on Nation 7-a-side duty. Rugby is his calling.
His shift from fullback midgame to scrum half improved the KOBs ball movement, so much so that at home, they went on to score two quick tries, and away, they got a host of kickable penalties, which Calvin Gizamba put away, earning them a win against Heathens at Kyadondo.
5. Scrum concerns for Heathens
Heathens coach Muhammad Athiyo wouldn’t have liked to see his scrum going backwards as they were outmuscled by the KOBs.
The Heathens boast of international experience across the board but it was one-sided as the KOBs drew penalty after penalty with the former always caught on the wrong side of the ball. Result – KOBs win.
With Santos Ssenteza away in South Africa, Athiyo and his team need to find a way to turn it around heading into the final. The forwards of the Stanbic Black Pirates are even more mobile.
Courtesy Photos
