The Nile Special Rugby Championship play-offs kicked off today with the first leg of the quarterfinal at four different venues.

Heathens maintained their unbeaten run after a 25-00 win against Walukuba Barbarians at Kyadondo Rugby Club.

It is a win the Kyadondo club wanted before the second leg against Walukuba in Jinja.

“It is the win we wanted to get before the second leg. We just wanted to kill off the pressure,” Heathens captain Micheal Wokorah said after the game.

Micheal Wokorach, Malcom Okello, Joseph Oyet, and Vanney Adebua scored Heathen’s trys.

Malcom Okello kicked one penalty and the conversion.

Diego Olet displayed a man-of-the-match performance.

Walukuba’s team captain Ivan Bulime is still optimistic about eliminating the league record holders when they visit them in Jinja despite the first-leg results.

“We still have a chance, it is a matter of organizing ourselves again.” The confident Bulime stated.

Elsewhere, in Entebbe, KCB Kobs survived Plascon Mongers' wrath with a slim win of 17-13 while Jinja Hippos thumped Toyota Buffaloes 40-21.

Defending champions Stanbic Black Pirates secured a small margin win of 10-7 against rejuvenated Rhinos.

The return leg is set for next Saturday to decide the four teams that will qualify for the semi-final.