Pirates leave it late to earn precious draw against Heathens

Results

Heathens 17 Pirates 17

Buffaloes 15 Mongers 6

Women League

Gulu Elephants 12 Rams 22

Kobs 62 Warriors 8

Impis 5 Rhinos 26

Thunderbirds 28 Black Panthers 0

Black Pirates denied defending champions Hima Cement Heathens a win by forcing a 17-17 draw as bitter rivals Kobs opened up a three point lead atop the Nile Special Premier Rugby League table.

A try by Haruna Muhammad and conversion by Ivan Magomu forced the stalemate.

"The players didn't play according to our structures, we dominated, but when the players diverted to individual rugby we lost," Heathens coach Robert Sseguya stated.

Brian Kikawa and Michael Wokorach gave Heathens an early 10 point lead courtesy of try each, before Pirates' Emmanuel Jaden and Ivan Magomu replied with a try and conversion respectively to claw back to 10-7 at half time. 

In the second half Wokorach scored his second try of the day before Chris Lubanga converted for a 17-10 lead against a 14-man Pirates side following a red card to Eric Butime for shoving the referee Collin Mulindwa.

Haruna and Magomu's late exploits broke Heathens' hearts.