- Nile Special Rugby (Men) Championship – Round 2
- Result: Black Pirates 24-20 KOBs
There was quite a lot at stake going into this bankers’ derby match.
For the matter of the 2024 Nile Special Rugby Championship, both Stanbic Black Pirates and KCB Kobs had lost their respective opening round matches.
For the matter of bragging rights, KOBs had a 2-1 win advantage over Black Pirates at their homeground Kings Park since 2018.
In summary, it was urgent and important for both fierce rivals to win this round two clash in the 2024 Nile Special Rugby Championship.
Pirates showed that urgency first in the match when they entered KOBs’ red zone. They were soon rewarded with a Haruna Mohammed try in the ninth minute.
That early pressure forced KOBs into a costly error that resulted in a Gongodyo try (converted by Ivan Magomu) four minutes later. Pirates led by 12-00 by the quarter-hour mark.
KOBs slowly began to crawl back into the game. A counterattack by Gizamba was halted illegally by the Sea Robbers and KOBs were able to get the scoreboard ticking through Rasul Abiriga’s penalty.
However, their efforts were hampered by a yellow card shown to Alvin Mwebaze for a high tackle. During that power play with a man-advantage, Mohammed set up Arnold Atukunda for a try in the corner.
When Mwebaze returned to the playing field after serving ten minutes in the sin bin, KOBs had four minutes left in the first half to redeem themselves. And so they did. Through a Saul Kivumbi power try that was converted brilliantly by Abiriga and then another Abiriga penalty.
Pirates took a slim 17-13 lead into halftime.
Barely two minutes after the break, Eric Mulamula received yellow for blocking a player chasing a kick. This put Black Pirates on the back foot but they were able to keep KOBs scoreless.
An entertaining exchange ensued as both teams searched for a breakthrough and laboured to not give away any.
As the clock ticked towards the seventieth minute, Mohammed turned provider for Atukunda again. Pirates looked destined for the victory as they then led by 24-13 after Magomu’s conversion.
But it was far from over. Alhaji Manano caught Black Pirates napping at their own try line and crashed over to bring Black Pirates back within KOBs’ touching distance. Abiriga’s conversion made it a four-point match with eight minutes left on the clock.
KOBs were about to break Black Pirates’ hearts in the last play of the match when the ball became unplayable under a collapsed maul.
Center referee Gonzaga Mayanja blew the final whistle to the visible disbelief and protest of KOBs players.
With the 24-20 victory, Black Pirates had settled their two matters; returned to winning ways after two successive losses and neutralized their rival’s advantage at their home ground.
KOBs collected the consolation losing bonus point and will continue chasing their first victory of the new season.
Full Round Two Results:
- Rams 06-18 Mongers
- Heathens 39-00 Warriors
- Rhinos 30-20 Impis
- Eagles 05-21 Buffaloes
- Walukuba 28-39 Hippos
- Black Pirates 24-20 Kobs
