The Jinja Hippos delivered an unforgettable performance across the Nile last Saturday, thrashing the Toyota Buffaloes 40-21 in the National Rugby Championship quarter-final first leg at Dam Waters.
A flash into the historic win
An electric atmosphere filled the Dam Waters as the Hippos faced off against their familiar rivals, the Kyadondo-based Buffaloes. Just four weeks prior, these two teams battled it out in a close 20-16 championship encounter won by the Jinja side.
Hippos had a date with history as they had never won a game at the knock out stages of the 15s rugby competition, a gargantuan challenge that coach Edmund Quaresma approached with great courage, fielding a line up with his desired trio of Jacob Ochen, Andrew Odhiambo and David Wako.
The emotion was palpable, a great rendezvous, but once the game got underway it didn’t take long for the players to throw themselves whole heartedly into this battle at every moment.
The power battle was relentless on all fronts, tactically of course between two teams that pick their attacking DNA from the late Robert Sseguya, vying for possession of the ball, but also in terms of technical quality, athletic impact and that precious ability to play as a team.
Buffaloes Draw First Blood, But Hippos Fight Back
Starting with frustrating illogical situations in the first twenty minutes the buffaloes took a commanding lead from a drop goal from talisman Katerega Daniel and a try with two extra points to give the visitors a 10 points lead.
This meant that the hosts had to dig deep to over turn this far from an ideal scenario, but isnt the National Rugby Championship made for exactly this?
One thing was certain about this new look Hippos team, they had to turn on their mojo and after the water break they had to cross the white wash through their “high tower” Julius Opio before Emmanuel Odoi and Jacob Ochen added two more tries giving Elvis Opira a chance to add the extras to give the hippos a commanding 17-13 lead as the game headed out for the half-time break.
Dominant Second Half Secures Victory
All that was remaining was to turn the dream into reality. The second half saw a relentless Jinja Hippos unleash a game of both attacking and defensive superiority.
It didnt take long before Bruno Kisule crossed the white wash to add to the three points that were collected by kicker Opira – who took over kicking duties from the injured Yasin Wasswa, putting the game at 27-16 in favour of the hosts.
The last 20 minutes took the match to another dimension, fatigue was setting in, eyes were narrowing, injuries were kicking in and the scent of chaos grew strong as the Hippos widened the gap with a superb solo try from fast winger Brighton Bakasa making the game 37-16.
The visitors earned a late try but it only acted as a consolation as Opira added three more points to cement the Hippos win at 40-21. The Buffaloes will welcome the Jinja Hippos at Kyadondo next saturday in the second leg of the quarter finals.
In other games the Platinum Credit Heathens humbled Walukuba Barbarians 25-0 as the KOBs and Pirates fought hard to get away wins as their games ended 13-17 and 7-10, against Mongers and Rhinos respectively.
Courtesy Photos
