KOBs Receive Graveyard Double-Whammy With Joy

By: James Kavuma

Early kickoffs are revered across sports as the absolute devil.

This particular weekend, Ugandan rugby patrons were served with an explanation of just why early kickoffs should be treated with disdain.

In the first of two televised games on NBS Sports, just a few stretches after midday, defending champions, Heathens, were being hosted by the stubborn Makerere side, Impis.

In popular fashion, as has been their norm this season, the Heathens started slow, and Impis made it a scrappy untidy affair for them in the ongoing Nile Special Rugby League.

The away side, used to bullying the Impis, managed only two tries at the break, a testament to the work, stubbornness, and cunningness of Impis in their backyard.

Heathens managed two more tries in the second stanza, which saw a rise in decibels of noise from the supporters of the away side.

When Michael Amollo crossed for a fourth try for Heathens, and in typical pesky style, Impis got themselves a second try. The game would end 14-24, with the Heathens denied a bonus point win they insinuated they were sure to get.

Next on the menu at the same venue was the 3 pm kickoff and the Pirates found themselves in unfamiliar 14-09 territory at halftime, trailing the Rams.

Just as in the opening game, the Makerere-based side denied the visitor the joys and benefits of a bonus point winning at full time, with Pirates winning 33-24.

Both games were played before table-topping KOBs could throw the ball about, also away from home, off Lake Victoria shores in Entebbe.

By the time Pirates were done fighting with Rams in Makerere, the KOBs had more or less put the Mongers away with a five-try flurry, and it was just half time.

At full-time, the KOBs were counting half a century of points with Mongers registering a meager 14 points.

Back to Kampala, the ghosts of early kickoffs made sure Heathens (2nd) and Pirates (3rd) could win, but not with maximum points haul.

And with the world’s subtle sense of humor, the leading KOBs who played later in the day made an easy meal of their opponents, Mongers.

The results mean that the KOBs start the second round 1 point ahead of the Heathens and 2 ahead of the Pirates and in an even better position before these sides meet later in the season.

The issue of bonus point wins in Ugandan rugby is so personal for the top 3 sides (KOBs, Heathens and Pirates).

They have given up on collecting wins from each other, and know that they share them, so they have sought to put the other seven opponents to the sword and earn maximum points.

The aforementioned seven teams, on the other hand, have made it a mission to work tooth and nail and limit the number of bonus points they give away to these three giants.

The Makerere sides denied Pirates and Heathens exceeding joy and have inadvertently added an extra spicy twist to the title chase.

Whoever has to go to the graveyard at this time when National 7s team players are away should watch out.

Photo Credit: URU Media