By: Dorothy Nekesa
The Nile Special Rugby Premiership defending champions Heathens stumbled in their first title defense outing against a more upbeat Stanbic Black Pirates side.
The Sea Robbers outfit ensured task execution to the final whistle against hard knock Platinum Credit Heathens in a 24-18 final score.
First half scores from Joshua Engwau (5), Timothy Kisiga (5), Alex Aturinda (5) and William Nkore (4) gave the Stanbic Black Pirates a 19-10 half time lead.
While skipper Micheal Wokorach (5), Joseph Oyet (3) and Chris Lubanga (2) Kept the Kyadondo based side at 10 points in the first stanza.
Pirates, still reeling from the fresh Uganda Cup finals loss to Heathens, put a solid defence wall in the second half with a try through Moses Olweny while Heathens pair of Nobert Okeny (5) and Joseph Oyet’s final penalty (3) didn’t yield much in trying to level the full time score.
“In the league last season we lost both home and away to Heathens but this time round we have a very young squad and bigger ambitions to emerge this year’s league champions hence starting the elimination with the title holders,” Pirates captain Ivan Magomu bragged.
“It has been long as we last won the league title in 2018, this year is ours. We are coming for it and our warning is loud enough to our next opponent in Rhinos next weekend and the rest”,Magomu added.
WEEK 1 LEAGUE RESULTS
Pirates 24 Heathens 18
KOBs 76 Walukuba 00
Jinja Hippos 22 Impis 25
Buffaloes 40 Rhinos 12
Mongers 11 Rams 09
NSRPL FIXTURES 21st JANUARY
Buffaloes Vs Heathens – Kyadondo (4pm)
Mongers Vs Jinja Hippos – Entebbe (4pm)
Rams Vs KOBs – Makerere (2pm)
Rhinos Vs Pirates – Legends (4pm)
Impis Vs Walukuba – Makerere (4pm)
Courtesy Photos
