Toyota Buffaloes Vs Pirates
at 5:00pm Kyadondo Rugby Grounds
Toyota Buffaloes were shocked by Mutoni Warriors at home last weekend and on Saturday, the home side proceeds with another worth-worrying encounter against Pirates at Kyadondo. Allan Okello scored their three points through a penalty and that’s all the side could score in their last outing against Warriors that saw them lose 03-08.
They head for this, their fourth premiership match having triumphed only once, when the outfit came from behind at Makerere Rugby Grounds to beat Impis 15-46. Debutant coaches O’Brien Tindimweba and Edgar Lemmerigar will take charge of the team that is yet to perform like last season where they finished the first half the season having lost only to Kobs and Heathens.
The side is currently without five players in Odong James, Epillo Paul, Kasita Eric, Alfred Bijik and Solomon Okia who are preparing for late November’s Confederation Of Africa Rugby sevens tournament that is to take center stage in Zimbabwe. The side was also weakened before the start of the season with the departure of Phillip Pariyo who opted to stay in United Kingdom after the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow.
Meanwhile opponents Pirates, return to the fray with no victory in the three matches they’ve played so far. They narrowly lost to defending to defending champions Kobs with a 7-5 last weekend and will have to step up their performance to sidestep relegation this season. They are second last on the premiership table and are apparently done with the prominent league giants.
Known for a solid defense this season, Pirates could nevertheless make Buffaloes’ weekend extremely tough. They seek first premiership victory and coach player Anthony Kinene, must fasten the bolts in the flanks. Heathens capitalized on that at Legends and the result was not appealing for the home fans. Pirates also barely push up to full time having often crumbled in the dying minutes.
Dennis Etuket, Marvin Odong, Martin Karugonjo and Buteme Eric should return for the squad with last weekend’s replacement Hamza Mohammed. Pirates will need to check their discipline having walk away with two yellow cards following infringement in the scrums and mauls as well as a brawl that had Kobs Brian Odong muscle away colleagues.
FACTS
When the duo met in the first half of last season, Toyota Buffaloes beat Pirates 49-09 at Kyadondo.
Pirates won the second encounter against the same side in the other half of last season 26-13.
Saturday Fixtures
Entebbe Rugby Grounds
Sadolin Mongers Vs Heathens at 4:30pm
Legends Rugby Grounds
Mutoni Warriors Vs Kobs at 5:00pm
Makerere Rugby Grounds
Impis Vs Ezee Money Rhinos at 4:30pm