Fullback Haruna Muhammad was the hero on what almost turned out to be a dark evening as the Stanbic Black Pirates came from 21-00 down to beat the Rhinos and advance to the semifinals of the Rugby Championship.
The Pirates carried a 10-07 aggregate advantage into this game and by the least of standards, needed to avoid a loss.
The visiting Rhinos were quick out of the gate with intention and returning Ivan Kirabo drilled a drop goal barely two minutes into the game to put them 3-0 up. Two minutes later, Godwin Abwang was over for the first try of the game, ably converted by Kirabo to give the Rhinos a 10-00 lead. Kirabo would later find Arnold Ocen with an inside ball to cross for Rhinos’ second try of the game pushing Rhinos 15-00 further. Everything that Kirabo touched turned to Gold for the visitors, as he nailed two more penalties, on the back of Frederick Mulindwa missing one for the hosts, giving Rhinos a 21-00 buffer at the break.
Haruna Muhammad turned the game on its head in the second half. He broke the line and set winger Paul Bagota up with an easy try score before Ivan Magomu converted to reduce the Pirates’ deficit to 21-07. A minute later, Kirabo pushed the game to 24-07 with a penalty. It was all Pirates with the action all the way to the end. Jaden Isaac got in on the fest to bring Pirates back into the game with a try. Haruna Muhammad sold dummies and danced his way to the try line twice in less than minutes to bring the Pirates level at 24-24, much to the ululation of the stands.
Ivan Magomu gave Pirates their first lead with a penalty, with 8 minutes left to play. And three minutes later, Kirabo returned the favour, leveling matters at 27-all. Magomu was back with a penalty to give Pirates their second lead of the game and what would prove to be the final punch – as Pirates waded off Rhinos last gaps attack to win the game 30-27, and the tie 40-34 on aggregate.
At Kyadondo, Buffaloes exerted revenge on the Jinja Hippos, winning 12-05 but the difference wasn’t enough to upset the massive cushion that Jinja Hippos collected in Jinja a week earlier, with the latter winning 45-33 on aggregate and advancing to the semis.
The KCB KOBs were runaway winners against the Plascon Mongers, winning 51-16 to improve their aggregate to 68-29 and advance to the semifinals. The KOBs had the biggest aggregate wins from any team in the four quarterfinal clashes.
The Platinum Credit Heathens remain unbeaten this season with yet another win, defeating the Walukuba Barbarians 28-16, improving to a 53-16 winning aggregate. The Heathens were the only team to win without giving their opponents any losing bonus points.
Rugby Championship Quarterfinals – Second Leg
Toyota Buffaloes 12-05 Jinja Hippos
(Hippos win 45-33 on aggregate)
Stanbic Black Pirates 30-27 Rhinos
(Pirates win 40-34 on aggregate)
KCB KOBs 51-16 Plascon Mongers
(KOBs win 68-29 on aggregate)
Walukuba Barbarians 16-28 Platinum Credit Heathens
(Heathens win 53-16 on aggregate)
