DMark Kobs will have a lot of homework to do before they face Toyota Buffaloes in the semifinal playoff of the Nile Special Rugby League next weekend.
For the second time in a row, Kobs were on the losing end in a 24-07 defeat to MTN Heathens at Kyadondo on Saturday.
“Errors cost us the game,” Kobs’ coach Fred Mudoola said moments after the game.
Kobs’ scrumhalf Kevin Markmot missed two penalties before Heathens led 10-00 at halftime after Bishop Onen scoring penalty and a try which he later converted.
The visitors looked hungry, charged and would have had three tries inside the first 20 minutes of the second half.
They fumbled twice in Heathens’ 22 from inside but Joseph Aredo touched down from the right wing.
He converted to make it 10-7 but missed scoring a penalty moments later which would have put them on level.
For a while, both sides could not alter the score and Heathens’ coach Brian Tabaruka brought on Phillip Wokorach and Jasper Ochen.
With less than 10 minutes to play, Asuman Mugerwa powered to the try line to not only put the crowd into frenzy but also got his teammates dancing in celebration.
Wokorach made that conversion and it did not last long for more dancing.
Aredo kicked to left of the opponents’ half in pursuit of a line-out but Wokorach picked the ball, kicked it to the front, moved past two Kobs’ players to score the team’s third try.
Ochen converted seconds before the final whistle.
“We were patient on the day; otherwise, it would have gone jittery.” Tabaruka said.
“One game at a time, we are looking forward to the semifinals,” Heathens’ captain Alex Mubiru, with G4S Pirates’ semifinal clash in sight next week, said.
A result in Kobs’ way would have earned them the chance to host their semifinal but other than that, the lots of anxiety among the players and fans were not so close to the pitch or in the stands.
Not that there was none in this clash. There was bad blood littered allover throughout the entire contest.
Several players were left down in pain after collisions, scrums and line-outs most fondly in the second period.
NILE SPECIAL SUPER 8 RUGBY RESULTS
Heathens 24-07 Kobs
Mongers 42-08 Rhinos
Impis 12-13 Summerkamp