A frantic start to the game at the Dam Waters saw Buffaloes play expansively putting width on the ball at every opportunity and threatening the Hippos line.
However, coach Edmund quaresma‘s side who came into the game on the back of two bonus point wins, weathered the pressure with Yasin wasswa‘s boot always clearing the lines to have the ball back in the Buffaloes 22.
Back and forth first half
An attempt to clear the line by Buffaloes number ten got the ball blocked by Hippos’ towering lock Julius Opio for Emmanuel Odoi to easily ground and gift Hippos the lead, though Yasin Wasswa could not add the extras.
The ever attacking Buffaloes made corrections and in a few minutes they took lead through experienced centre Ivan Odhiambo.
The game switched to a kick-and-chase affair, and scores were only collected through kickers. The day’s Man of the Match, Yasin Wasswa, got points for the Hippos from his boot just after the half way line to put the score at 8-7.
However, the lead didn’t last long before the Hippos were punished for infringements with Buffaloes adding to the scores off the boot of their number 14 to put the score at 8-10.
Wasswa nudged another two quick penalties for the home side to put the score at 14-10, before Buffaloes hit back emphatically to win a penalty and leave the game at 14-13, as they headed for the break.
Hippos pull away before surving a late onslaught
The return for the second half saw the Hippos regain control and within a few minutes Wasswa had collected points off his boot to extend the lead to 17-13.
Wasswa’s seemingly perfect boot on the day helped him extend the lead to 20-13 to give hippos what looked like a cushion as they headed into the last minutes of the game.
Buffaloes refused to give up and in the last minutes of the game they got three extra points off the boot to have the game at 20-16.
The last act of play saw the Hippos players and fans with their hearts out as their defence held strong for nearly four minutes on their try line, with the buffaloes camped in their five.
In a last-ditch effort, Sean Mubiru‘s crucial steal off Douglas Musoke‘s hands gave the Hippos a chance to clear the ball and secure a hard-fought victory. The game which doubled as a second leg of the Soggy Cup saw Hippos retain the trophy.
The Hippps welcome Rams in a weekend that could see them pick up top spot in the championship since their rivals Heathens face off with powerhouse KOBs.
Courtesy Photos
