Black Pirates needed Extra Time to hold off a determined Jinja Hippos to win the 2024-25 Uganda Rugby Premiership at Kings Park.
The Sea Robbers scored three unanswered converted tries in extra time after normal time had ended 23 all after Ivan Magomu missed a point-blank conversion of his own try at the death.
Pirates got on the scoreboard inside five minutes. Isaac Massa broke line with a strong carry and Hippos were offside. Willam Nkore called for tee inside the 22 and converted penalty for an early 03-00 lead.
Two exit kicks from Conrad Wanyama and Nkore earned Hippos a couple of scrums but the Sea Robbers made sure to hold strong and coupled with good defense when the ball was out in open play, Hippos scoring was delayed but not for long.
The Hippos camped in Pirates red zone, earning multiple penalties. From a scrum, skipper Tonny Kadhambi found room to run through and ground near the posts with Yasin Wasswa adding extras for a 07-03 lead.
After water break, Massa made some strong carries and Pirates quickly recycled from phases through Timothy Kisiga, with Haruna Muhammad at the end to stretch over the white chalk. Nkore converted to restore the 3-point lead for the hosts, 10-07.
As halftime approached, Pirates set up Nkore for a drop goal after a clean line out playing under advantage to extend the lead to 13-07.
The Hippos went hunting again and Terry Okore found room on the right wing to break tackles and run through for a try. Wasswa converted to put Hippos in the lead, 14-13, at the halftime break.
Pirates returned for the second half with a bit of urgency and went hunting early in with multiple phases, as Conrad Wanyama grounded but Nkore missed the conversion from point-blank range.
Muhammad would turn on the self-destruct mode gifting Hippos points opportunities. He had chance to clear but didn’t, and Pirates conceded a penalty that Wasswa converted.
The Hippos flyhalf would add a pair of penalties and the Jinja side went ahead 23-18 to send the away fans in a frenzy as the home side faithful went quiet.
The Sea Robbers rose from the dead thanks to “messiah” Ivan Magomu who scored near the posts after multiple phases. He however missed an easy conversion and the game went into Extra Time.
The Hippos went cold in the addition 30 minutes as Pirates ran in 3 tries courtesy of Timothy Kisiga, Jones Kamiza and Haruna Muhammad, all converted by Magomu.