Uganda: Heathens Edge Rhino

Ismail D. Kigongo

28 March 2011

There is no doubt in the minds of many that it’s only a matter of time before MTN Heathens are crowned Nile Special Rugby Premier League champions for the fifth time.

Viable competition has been very hard to find for coach Brian Tabaruka until Saturday at Kampala RFC. Not that the former Heathens skipper would care much.

His team dug deep to defeat Rhino 24-11 in what has been Heathens’ sturdiest examination thus far. And to think this was neither G4S Pirates nor utl Kobs and it’s taken 11 games to meet a credible hurdle made Tabaruka even more proud after Heathens employed survival instincts.

“Rhino played a very good game which made it tight for us,” Tabaruka, who played at fullback in place of the injured Benon Kiiza, said.

Tries from Presto Tibashobooka, Brian Kikawa, Robert Seguya and Jonathan Bishop Onen must have brought thoughts of organizing a victory party which the coach quashed.

Heathens moved to 55 points, six ahead of Kobs who decimated visiting Nile 49-3 in the early game.

“There is still three games to play and that’s 15 points to fight for. I am impressed with the spirit from the team that has taken us this close,” added Tabaruka.

At the Makerere graveyard, hosts Impis succumbed to a 24-8 defeat at the hands of Pirates, who remain third on 43 points.

Pirates’ George Asini, Timothy Dumba, Roland Bahemuka and Kenyan fly-half Hillary Juma, facing his former teammates, shared the tries. Romano Ogwal’s try and Michael Tamale’s perfect kick between the posts proved only a consolation for Impis.

Elsewhere, Entebbe Mongers beat Toyota Buffaloes 24-15 at Kyadondo RFC.

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