Heathens end 2008 season on
Nov 15, 2008
IN winning the 2008 Makerere 10’s tournament, MTN Heathens have cemented their reputation as the kings of the shorter codes of the game.
IN winning the 2008 Makerere 10’s tournament, MTN Heathens have cemented their reputation as the kings of the shorter codes of the game.
For a team that perfected the art of self destruction in the league and Uganda Cup to effortlessly dominate in the shorter codes of the game despite numerous injuries will always puzzle pundits.
Heathens conceded only two tries en route to winning the Makerere Tens tournament.
With key injuries, Heathens couldn’t contest at the line outs, had a very shaky scrum but did a Houdini on account of some very unrelenting defence and lightening counter attacks.
Tournament MVP George Scott ‘300’ Oluoch who has not played up to his very high standards since crossing from rivals Kobs, came to life in this tournament.
In the final, favourites and Kenya sevens champions Mwamba were shocked with an early try and even when they threw everything at Heathens, the cover defence most notably from youngsters Michael Wokorach and Brian Kikaawa restricted them to one try.
If Heathens learn to play as a unit they just might be the team to break UTL Kobs stranglehold on fifteens rugby.
Biggest game degenerates into brawl
Irrespective of form any encounter between Heathens and Kobs is always guaranteed to be a cracker but the latest episode reached unprecedented levels.
This was supposed to be the biggest and most exciting game of the tournament.
After an early Heathens try, the game degenerated into a shocking brawl with Kobs players attacking the referee at half time prematurely ending the game.
URU as reported is going to meet and decide on the disciplinary action against the errant players.
It was very wrong for the players to attack the referee and they should be disciplined according to the IRB laws but it is prudent to also look at other issues.
The tournament organisers shouldn’t have appointed a junior referee for a game of this magnitude.
The match commissioner and referee’s assessor should also take a second look at how the game was officiated as there were some questionable calls against Kobs which led to the fracas.
The referee and his assistants completely failed to take control of the game that was spilling out of control with tempers flaring and passions running high.
Refereeing has been a constant complaint from all top clubs and it was one of the issues that led to a player strike earlier in the season.
I part with an English joke that should be food for thought...Rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.........(I will let my readers finish the phrase).
For a team that perfected the art of self destruction in the league and Uganda Cup to effortlessly dominate in the shorter codes of the game despite numerous injuries will always puzzle pundits.
Heathens conceded only two tries en route to winning the Makerere Tens tournament.
With key injuries, Heathens couldn’t contest at the line outs, had a very shaky scrum but did a Houdini on account of some very unrelenting defence and lightening counter attacks.
Tournament MVP George Scott ‘300’ Oluoch who has not played up to his very high standards since crossing from rivals Kobs, came to life in this tournament.
In the final, favourites and Kenya sevens champions Mwamba were shocked with an early try and even when they threw everything at Heathens, the cover defence most notably from youngsters Michael Wokorach and Brian Kikaawa restricted them to one try.
If Heathens learn to play as a unit they just might be the team to break UTL Kobs stranglehold on fifteens rugby.
Biggest game degenerates into brawl
Irrespective of form any encounter between Heathens and Kobs is always guaranteed to be a cracker but the latest episode reached unprecedented levels.
This was supposed to be the biggest and most exciting game of the tournament.
After an early Heathens try, the game degenerated into a shocking brawl with Kobs players attacking the referee at half time prematurely ending the game.
URU as reported is going to meet and decide on the disciplinary action against the errant players.
It was very wrong for the players to attack the referee and they should be disciplined according to the IRB laws but it is prudent to also look at other issues.
The tournament organisers shouldn’t have appointed a junior referee for a game of this magnitude.
The match commissioner and referee’s assessor should also take a second look at how the game was officiated as there were some questionable calls against Kobs which led to the fracas.
The referee and his assistants completely failed to take control of the game that was spilling out of control with tempers flaring and passions running high.
Refereeing has been a constant complaint from all top clubs and it was one of the issues that led to a player strike earlier in the season.
I part with an English joke that should be food for thought...Rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.........(I will let my readers finish the phrase).