Today’s was the kind of matches Heathens players look forward to. When they are struggling for form and their next opponents’ fans have spent the week sending all sorts of jokes toward them on the internet.
What ensues for eighty minutes within the white lines is not just a show of rugby supremacy but a physical punishment to the men in front of them.
Rather unsurprisingly from Impis, the Makerere boys ran onto the pitch to the sound of local musician Alien Skin’s ‘Sitya Danger’ (loosely translated: I do not fear danger) song that is currently rocking Uganda’s airwaves. It was hilarious how they took one more opportunity to dare the league’s defending champions.
As they are known to do, Heathens would do the talking and respond on the pitch. It did not take ten minutes after kickoff for Nicholas Kato to break the deadlock. In the sixteenth minute, Michael Wokorach barrelled over and twenty-three minutes later, he bagged his brace. Aaron Ofoyrwoth sealed a surgical first half from the hosts as they took a 26-03 lead into half time.
Henry Nsekuye kicked Impis’ only points in the half off the tee.
In the second half, the scoreboard kept ticking as Heathens scored tries through Ofoyrwoth (2), Scott Olwoch, and Herbert Champara. They also got a penalty try which saw Impis tighthead prop Ariho Muhumuza sent off for repeated infringement in the scrummage.
Having secured the bonus point early, Heathens made the match an unbearable experience for their visitors. Not by foul play but by physical brutality during every carry and tackle Impis players made.
Unfortunately, during its course, Robert Ssentongo and Clive Lumu were stretchered away while Gabriel Mugabi was withdrawn for suspected head contact in a tackle.
Impis’ only try was scored by Ivan Otai in the last play of the match.
In conclusion, there was no doubt about Heathens ending Impis’ unbeaten run but to do so by 55-10 was a show of pedigree.
Wokorach the looseforward
Heathens are currently without captain Charles Uhuru on suspension and his second row partner Joachim Chisano. With the departure of Reynolds Kato at the end of last season, coach Mohammed Athio has had to innovate in his squad selection this season. Last weekend, winger Lawrence Sebuliba played at blindside flanker but got injured leading up to this weekend.
Enter captain Michael Wokorach to cover the huge gap in the backrow. The center was listed as number six against Impis but played the eighthman position.
His first tackle was a clean wrap around Pius Mpoza’s boot laces off a scrummage and his first carry was an eighthman pick in which he broke the gain line and offloaded to winger Michael Amolo in space.
Having played in the pack for the first time in ages, it was an above-average performance by Wokorach. He even got a try in typical looseforward knock-the-door-down fashion.
Full Matchday Six Results:
It was a successful outing for the home sides as they all won their matches.
- Kobs 58-13 Plascon Mongers
- Walukuba Barbarians 16-15 Rhinos
- Stanbic Black Pirates 45-05 Rams
- Heathens 55-10 Impis
- Jinja Hippos 38-17 Toyota Buffaloes
For Rhinos and Rams, their search for the first win of the season continues.
