Nile Special Rugby Premiership:
- Sadolin Mongers 29-7 Mutoni Warriors
- Betway Kobs 27-14 Toyota Buffaloes
- Hima Heathens 26-13 Rhinos
- Makerere Impis 15-10 Gulu Elephants
- Pirates 41-10 Rams
Sadolin Mongers made home advantage count at full length when they edged Mutoni Warriors 29-7 at their dreaded lake side ‘house of pain’ arena in Entebbe over the weekend in the Nile Special rugby premiership.
Adrian Wasswa put the home side in the lead with a well-executed 10th minute penalty via the customary left foot.
Three minutes later, the visitors missed the chance to make amends when Benjamin Kinobe’s penalty was kicked wide for a foul that sent Mongers’ David Kabuuza to the ‘sin bin’ for a neck tackle.
A minute to the half hour mark, Wasswa was it again with yet another penalty, but this time from over 40 yards from the posts.
Upon restart, Kinobe scored the day’s first try with a clever solo sprint through the usually water tight Mongers’ ruck.
Hilary Semussu made it seven points for the visitors with a successful resultant conversion.
At this time the fans were now off their seats when Andrew Olweny sprinted to the try zone but Gabriel Aredo’ great tackle denied the burly former national player the try.
Warriors led going into the break 6-7.
At the onset of the second stanza, Richard Bbira was introduced for the Mongers.
Seven minutes into the half, Wasswa completed his hat-trick of penalties with a great curl from an acute angle, about 30 yards from the posts as Mongers restored their lead 9-7.
Another second half substitute, Joseph Tamale perfectly blocked Emma Byamugisha’s intended kick and touched the line with a great dive for a rare try line effort for the bow-legged forward.
Wasswa never missed the resultant conversion to stretch the lead to 16-7.
Tempers flared and Warriors’ Zeno Owora earned a 5 minutes’ punishment on the sidelines for unsporting character.
Kinobe missed yet another penalty and a chance to narrow the home side’s lead.
Like old wine in a new bottle, Simon Wakabi proved age is just a number.
Upon replacing Herbert Kato, Wakabi’s fancy side stepping antics, quick sprints and dummies came into force much to the delight of the partisan crowd.
With less than 10 minutes to the end, Wakabi sprinted to the try line after easily eluding three Warriors’ players in a fashion a sharp razor would penetrate Ghee to further stretch the lead to 21-7.
UCU student Paul Sekate however missed the conversion from an acute angling.
With victory in clear sight for the determined hosts, Elijah Segawa touched the line following a melee that involved almost 18 bodies rammed together.
This time round Sekate converted as the home fans shouted wildly.
The final score line read in bold Mongers 29, Mutoni Warriors 7 for yet another great victory at the house of pain.
On Friday, Betway Kobs opened the weekend with a less convincing 27-14 victory over Buffaloes at the Legends.
The next day, Hima Heathens gritted their teeth to overcome a Rhinos outfit 26-13 who led the opening half.
At the Makerere University grave yard ground, Gulu Elephants nearly caused a late surge when they narrowed Impis’ final score line 15-10.
The league resumes next weekend.
Reactions:
Ben Kigongo Sebalamu (Head Coach, Sadolin Mongers):
Am not happy by the way my players were handling the ball. We should have scored more than that.
I believe we can only improve ahead of the Pirates match next weekend.
Hilary Semussu (Captain Mutoni Warriors):
The game was good.
I am happy by the level of refereeing for the first time.
The ground was not the best but we have lost honorably.
We shall go back to the drawing board for the other matches ahead of us.
Team Line Ups:
Sadolin Mongers:
Ronald Adigas, Jerome Buyonga, Jackson Wako, David Kabuuza, Paul Sekate, Loren Kalule, Andrew Olweny, Paul Angana, Don Wambete, Benue Twijukye, Herbert Kato, Adrian Wasswa, Daniel Laddu, Denis Mukalazi, Joseph Tamale, Richard Bbira, Elijah Segawa, Joel Opiom Gift Oketa, Simon Wakabi, Timothy Luyirika, Trevor Tusiime
Team Manager: Levi Etuko
Head Coach: Kigongo Sebalamu
Mutoni Warriors:
Moses Mutumba, Hudson Mugerwa, Emma Byamugisha, William Aling, Akera Komakech Brian Seruyange, Emmanuel Onen, Zeno Owora, Simon Nyeko, Benjamin Kinobe, Isaac Tago, Hilary Semussu, Ruben Kihumuro, Mark Nsereko, Gabriel Aredo, Abel Ochan, Shaban Ramadhan, Mark Muhereza, George Burgranam Aaron Gourwa, Ali Annad, Juma Ochan, Shadrack Manano
Team Manager: Arthur Miiro
Head Coach: Erasmus Aredo
