- Nile Special Rugby (Men’s) Championship 2024 – Round Five
- Result: Walukuba 24-27 Rhinos
Rhinos snatched a late victory from the jaws of defeat in Walukuba’s backyard during Round Five of the Nile Special Rugby Championship.
It was delivered by an Ivan Kirabo penalty in the seventy-ninth minute and a try-saving tackle from Derrick Ssebidandi in the last play of the match.
In the first half, Louis Oboi and Arnold Ocen scored the tries for Rhinos while Isaac Luquman and Iddo Kuta touched down for Walukuba.
The Abel Dhaira Memorial Stadium was such an electric atmosphere and the home team used it to their advantage.
But at half-time, the score was level on eighteen-all with a Gift Wokorach drop goal, a penalty and conversion by Shakim Ssembusi for Walukuba and for Rhinos, two penalties and a conversion by Kirabo.
The second half was far from perfect for both teams as they squandered multiple scoring opportunities and gave away reckless penalties.
Musa Farid’s yellow card in the seventy-third minute opened the door for Rhinos to stage a comeback against Walukuba. Walukuba were leading by 24-21 by that moment; penalties kicked by Wokorach. Rhinos’ only penalty was by Kirabo.
Kirabo, who had missed three successive penalties, finally found his bearings and converted two attempts within the last five minutes of the match.
Rhinos thus recovered from home-and-away defeats to Walukuba last season and won the solitary meeting this regular season.
Ocen was named the man of the match but Kuta made an equally compelling case for the award too.
Rhinos continue their run of form with a fifth successive victory and remain undefeated in second place. Walukuba lost a third match and dropped to eighth place in the standings.
Full Round Five Results:
- Kobs 19-19 Buffaloes
- Heathens 70-06 Rams
- Walukuba 24-27 Rhinos
- Mongers 20-17 Pirates
- Impis 15-15 Warriors
- Hippos 27-13 Eagles
