Rugby: Heathens, Pirates and KOBs secure quarterfinal advantages
Heathens coach Tolbert Onyango said it was a good win, but admitted there is still a lot of work to do if his side is to win the second leg and advance to the semi-finals.
KCB KOBS' Collins Kimbowa with the ball tackled by Impis players during their League game in Makerere. KOBS won 23-12. (Photo by Johnson Were)
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Nile Special Rugby Premiership
1st leg quarter-final results
Sharks 0 Heathens 6
Walukuba 6 Pirates 48
Impis 12 KCB KOBs 23
Mongers 18 Buffaloes 22
A penalty each by Malcom Okello and Blaise Ochieng handed Platinum Credit Heathens a narrow 6-0 victory over Victoria Sharks in the first leg of the Nile Special Rugby Premiership quarterfinals at Kyambogo University Ground.
It was a bruising and gruelling quarter-final encounter, with the former champions having to work hard for victory after the two second-half penalties.
Heathens coach Tolbert Onyango said it was a good win, but admitted there is still a lot of work to do if his side is to win the second leg and advance to the semi-finals.
In the other quarter-final matches, KCB KOBs defeated Makerere Impis 23-12 in another exciting and mouth-watering fixture at the Graveyard Ground in Makerere.
Coach Brian Makalama was not impressed by his side’s performance but promised to correct the errors ahead of the return leg.
"We did get the win, but our play was not the best. We struggled to execute our planned playing structures. We were below par, but we will align better and return strong," Makala told Vision Sport.
In Jinja, Stanbic Black Pirates showed no mercy to their hosts, thrashing Walukuba 48-6 to hand the Bweyogerere side a huge advantage ahead of the return leg.
In Entebbe, Toyota Buffaloes edged Plascon Mongers 22-18 to head into the second leg with a four-point lead.
The return leg of the quarter-final fixtures is set for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at various venues