Following the return of rugby last weekend, this one wasn’t different as action resumed for the top-flight teams. A plus for this weekend’s edition was Legend’s Rugby Grounds hosting its first games of the season.
One thing we are sure of, however, is the Union’s No Fans policy was more of a fantasy.
Jinja Hippos 38 : 08 Impis
In Jinja, Dam Waters ground hosted the first match of the day as Impis trekked to Jinja to face Hippos in a Stingz Pro Wear Derby. Coach Seguya’s side, who were playing their first game of the season as their encounter with Warriors was postponed due to the unavailability of Legends Grounds wasted no time as Eliphaz Emong ground the ball for five.
Fly-half of the day John Echeru made his way to the scoreboard in the 19th minute. Having converted the first two tries, captain Maxwell Ebonga earned glory for himself but failed to get the extras at the stroke of halftime.
Hippos led 19:03 at the interval as Impis got a penalty in. Ebonga completed his hat-rick of tries in the second-half with Tawfik Bagalana setting up debutant Edrine Lemeriga to get five.
Buffaloes 03: 39 Heathens
Fresh from match day one wins at the expense of Rams and Pirates respectively, the Kyadondo clubs hit the ball rolling at 4pm. The red team drew first blood as seasoned campaigner Kevin Makmot successfully slotted in a spot-kick.
Jordan Bongomin scored his first try of the season before the mercurial Aaron Ofoywroth brilliantly set up Innocent Gwokto for Heathens second of the afternoon. Joseph Oyet converted both. Gwokto completed his brace as Buffaloes trailed 03:19 at half time.
Former Kobs winger Norbert Okeny opened his Heathens account as Ofoywroth set up another Heathens try. He later managed to convert a penalty in the closing stages of the game.
Rams 13: 14 Rhinos
At the Graveyard in Makerere, lower table rivals Rams and Rhinos faced off in an exhilarating game of rugby. Rams had Musa Bulega and flanker Allan Olango crossing the white-chalk. Emma Kwebikanga and Muhammad Issa converted both tries respectively.
Meanwhile Rams have kicker Josep Kana’s boot to thank for their bonus point. The flanker converted Daniel Rubangakene’s try as he slotted in a pair of penalties recording 8 points.
Warriors 09: 55 Warriors
This afternoon, Legends hosted the Mileke Memorial Shield in honor of the late Mileke, a great man of rugby. The late Patrick Mileke, father to Kob’s superstar Joseph Aredo and Warriors pair Erasmus and Gabriel Aredo was a regular at rugby games and was a darling to many in the rugby fraternity.
The Match
National team star Pius Ogena opened the gates for Kobs’ flood with a try before Richard Kinyai gave Warriors faithful hope with two successful penalties. Joseph Aredo honored the day with Kobs’ second before James Odong and the famous Justin Kimono got one each.
Ogena completed his brace as Kobs led 31:06 at the break. After the interval, Brian Ochan had enough time to cross the white chalk before giving way for Edgar Sseruwagi. Second-half substitutes Collins Kimbowa and Brian Asaba didn’t miss the party with each grounding the ball once.
There was enough time for Kimono to complete his brace as Davies Kiwalabye’s men remained top of the table on matchday two. Aredo converted five tries as Kinyai registered a hat-trick of penalties for Warriors.
Pirates 36: 06 Mongers
After hosting a rather unusual Legends derby on matchday one, Kings Park Bweyogerere played host to try filled as Pirates-Mongers date. Star-man Timothy Luyirika’s absence due to personal engagements was felt instantly as Ivan Magomu set up Humphrey Tashobya at the wing.
Fullback Timothy Kisiga completed a training field kind of move before Raymond Emanzi ground the ball at the wing. Man of the match Kisiga and Isaac Rujumba completed their braces in the second half with Edgar Kairu pulling one back for Mongers.
William Nkore converted two tries while Magomu, who was in assisting mood throughout the afternoon got the extras once. Gavin Angana slotted in a penalty for Mongers. Coach Bobby Musinguzi’s sea-robbers moved two places up the log from 5th to 3rd thanks to a bonus point today.
