The Jinja Hippos extended their winning streak in the Rugby Championship, claiming their fourth consecutive victory with a convincing 37-16 win over bottom-of-the-table Rams in a Round Eight encounter on Saturday, at Dam Waters in Jinja.
The Hippos scored four tries compared to the Rams’ solitary effort, a complete sign of dominance that had the Jinja based side as the better team throughout the match.
Clinical First Half Sets the Stage
Hippos had plenty of the ball in the opening minutes, with Yasin Wasswa who had a perfect boot for the day, converting a penalty kick to give them an early lead before Rams talisman Hossana Opireni levelled the game with a magical kick from the centre line.
Powerful hooker Paul Siringiti barged through opponents to ground the ball for Jinja Hippos’ first try, with Wasswa adding the extras.
After a dazzling run which left many Rams players on the floor, promising centre Emmanuel Odoi who was also Man of the Match crosed the white wash for another try, successfully converted by Wasswa.
The Rams who still looked like they had a fight in their bodies pulled a try back and collected all the 7 points leaving the game at 17-10.
The stirred Rams punished the Hippos for their continuous infringements and picked up three more points, making it a four point game (17-13).
The Hippos woke up out of their deep slumber and through Wasswa’s boot picked six points to extend their lead to 23-13.
Opireni’s boot was still alive in the first half and reduced the deficit to 23-16, to remind the Hippos that it was going to be a hard evening in their backyard before the referee told the players to go for a break and do corrections.
Second Half Secures Bonus Point Victory
An energised Hippos team returned after the break and quickly got to the score board with a beautiful try from the fast legs of Elvis Opira, before the perfect boot of Wasswa gave Hippos the extras.
The Life Guard Rams who looked safe and closer to denying the Hippos a chance to get all the five points were anguished when home side’s top boy Andrew Odhiambo crossed the white wash, to secure the bonus point win, and and put the top of the log within a three points reach.
The Jinja Hippos will enjoy a two-week break due to the Easter celebrations. They will return to action on April 6th, facing the Warriors at Dam Waters.
Courtesy Photos
