Missed chances define Heathens-KOBs stalemate

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Nile Special Rugby Premiership

Heathens 11 KOBs 11

Rhinos 22 Hippos 27

Mongers 18 Victoria 22

Warriors 26 Eagles 21

Pirates 39 Buffaloes 18

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The tense and much-anticipated derby between the Platinum Credit Heathens and KCB KOBs concluded in an 11-11 stalemate at Kyadondo Rugby Club on Saturday.

The two teams faced off in challenging conditions, as the match began dry but quickly turned wet. Just five minutes in, heavy rain began to fall, soaking everyone in the vicinity and forcing the players to contend not only with each other but also with the slippery field conditions.

The weather perhaps kept things even and allowed Heathens the reprieve they had barely received over the last few weeks.

With the rain pouring down in sheets, the defending champions took an early lead courtesy of a Tony Okello try. Aaron Ofoyrwoth failed to make the conversion but made amends a few moments later with the penalty taking Heathens’ lead to 8-0.

Things got a little tougher with the rain coming down heavy and Calvin Gizamba took advantage of a slow Heathens defence to score a drop goal that set the nerves on the KOBs end as they brought the score to 8-0

After that, KOBs started winning a few more duels and were especially good on the scram which pushed Heathens into some evasive tactics.

The second half was a tougher contest with the effects of the early shower in full force. Players were knocking the ball on and the penalties were being racked up by both sides.

KOBs also scored their try early on through Karim Arinaitwe. Aredo was not at his best with the boot as KOBs failed to make the conversion. 

The next time KOBs got a penalty within kicking distance Gizamba took it and converted to give KOBs and 11-8 lead.

Heathens made a few changes and introduced Malcom Okello to the setup, and he helped Heathens convert a deep penalty to draw the tie. KOBs kept going for it and got a late penalty but Josiah Ssempeke’s kick fell short of the posts.

Both teams were not excited by the result but they took it with grace.

“We haven’t gotten where we want to be and how we want to play. There are a lot of areas we believe we can improve. Heathens is a side you can never rule out,” said Heathens captain Nobert Okeny.

KOBs tactician Timothy Mudoola was disappointed with the result because the aim was to win but he remains happy with the progress the team has made.

“This is definitely not the result we wanted and we had ourselves to blame. We let the intensity slip away and we made some bad decisions on the pitch and not really trusting ourselves but this is something we can clean up,” he said.