Sadolin Mongers coach Robert Powell has said that dropping under performing players from the starting line up enabled his side put up a better performance in the Nile Special Uganda Rugby Premiership on Saturday.
Sadolin Mongers recovered from an awful run of five consecutive defeats to earn a 24-10 victory over Impis, their first triumph this year. The side had last won towards the Christmas break, beating Mutoni Warriors 13-26 at Legends Rugby Grounds.
Powell told Kawowo Sport’s Edgar Kazibwe that in the week before the weekend home match, he did a little bit of research on his team finding several problems in the fitness of the players due to negligence in the routine conditioning of his outfit.
I conducted some research into why Mongers have been losing games which before Christmas they would probably have won. I found there was a significant drop off in the numbers going in to the gym from December. It is personal fitness and not something I can get involved in as a team coach, and if individual players are not prepared to put in the effort required to achieve or maintain a standard then it will surely reflect on team performance. I took the decision to drop some players who were under performing, rest others who needed it and gave game time to others who had not had the opportunities they might otherwise have received.
Powell’s decision paid off with his side returning to winning ways with youthful Trevor Tumusiime and Tukesiga Chris doing what was required of them in the Saturday show down at Entebbe Rugby Grounds.
Stand out performances today came from Trevor Tumusiime, an U-21 qualified player who put in some big hits in the midfield and showed dextrous handling at 12. Tukesiga Chris (20) at hooker is another exciting prospect at hooker who nailed his throws at the line and made telling tackles,
Sadolin Mongers will now take on Mutoni Warriors at home in Entebbe on Saturday and the encounter will unfold as their last for this season. Coach Robert Powell may not be on the sidelines having moved back to London, in the U.K to reunite with his family.
