The Rugby Championship’s quarterfinalists came out of the blocks firing for the first-leg clashes that saw rugby being played at its finest.
The top four ranked sides (Heathens, Hippos, Pirates, KOBs) will take leg one advantage into the return fixtures after they all registered wins.
KCB KOBs Hold On for Narrow Win
The KCB KOBs were 17-13 away winners at Busambaga against the Plascon Mongers in a game that went to the wire. Trevor Maina opened the score for the visitors on the back of some surgical phase play before Josiah Sempeke added a penalty to push their lead to 8-0.
Sempeke and Mongers’ Robin Odrua then exchanged missed penalties before flipping the script to score; Odrua got Mongers on the board with a penalty, while Josiah scored two more to send the game into the break with KOBs leading 14-03.
The second period was all about the Mongers. Aturinde opened the scoring in the second half with a try for the hosts, which Odrua converted ably to bring the game to 10-14. The latter would also add a penalty to bring the game even closer 13-14.
Ssempeke would later give the visitor some breathing room with a penalty to extend their lead to 17-13. On the day, Edgar Kairu attempted two drop goals but they were both charged down by the Blue Army’s defense.
Towards the end of the game, Calvin Gizamba and Rasul Abiriga had penalty chances for the KOBs but both kickers missed. The game ended 17-13 in KOBs’ favor.
Hippos Secure Seguya Cup with Dominant Win
In Jinja, the Hippos came back from 10-00 down to win 40-21 against the Toyota Buffaloes to claim the Seguya Cup with a 2-0 aggregate win even before the second leg of the quarterfinals kicks off.
Tries to the returning Jacob Ochen, Opio Julius, Brighton Bakasa, replacement fullback Bruno Kisule, Emmanuel Odoi, and the able boot of Elvis Opira made sure the Hippos stayed unbeaten at home.
Black Pirates Hold Off Rhinos Charge
The Stanbic Black Pirates withstood a late Rhinos surge to win 10-07 away at Legends.
Budding youngster Kieron Erem scored the Pirates’ solitary try with Frederick Mulindwa ably converting and adding a Penalty which proved the winner.
Rhinos fought back and scored through Emmanuel Kwebikanga, a try that Gavin Mutara converted.
Heathens Dominate Walukuba Barbarians
The Platinum Credit Heathens were the only shut-out winners, beating the Walukuba Barbarians 25-00 at Kyadondo.
Tries from Michael Wokorach, Malcolm Okello, Joseph Oyet and Vannie Adebua proved crucial, with Malcolm Okello converting one and adding a penalty to give Heathens a 25-00 cushion ahead of the second round in Walukuba.
The return legs will be played next weekend with both Heathens and Hippos playing away, while the KCB KOBs and Pirates will be in front of their home crowds.
Rugby Championship Quarterfinals – First Leg Results
Plascon Mongers 13-17 KCB KOBs
Platinum Credit Heathens 25-00 Walukuba Barbarians
Jinja Hippos 40-21 Toyota Buffaloes
Rhinos 07-10 Stanbic Black Pirates
Courtesy Photos
