Form versus Pedigree: Who will prevail?

Feb 12, 2010

TODAY perhaps signifies the slowly changing tide of local rugby. A couple of years back if you asked a fan which match he would watch if Pirates was taking on Kobs and Heathens were taking on Entebbe Mongers at the same time at different venues: the obvious answer would be Pirates versus Kobs.

IN THE RUCK

Peter Ofong


TODAY perhaps signifies the slowly changing tide of local rugby. A couple of years back if you asked a fan which match he would watch if Pirates was taking on Kobs and Heathens were taking on Entebbe Mongers at the same time at different venues: the obvious answer would be Pirates versus Kobs.

Today, it will not be that obvious a choice, as two teams hitherto referred to as pretenders aim to topple the traditional giants when G4S Pirates host uganda telecom Kobs at Kampala RUFC while Mongers from Entebbe visit MTN Heathens at Kyadondo.

Entebbe Mongers have recently changed that perception and quite a number of fans are interested in checking out these in form ‘fishermen’ who have said they a ready to go all the way this season.
Entebbe Mongers and Pirates are unbeaten in the league and on paper look the form teams in the league.

Contrasting fortunes for the giants

For the traditional giants it has been a case of contrasting fortunes. Kobs had a disastrous trophyless season last year and their form so far has been just above average by their very high standards.

Heathens on the other hand returned to winning ways in 15-a-side with such dominance besides maintaining their stranglehold on the shorter codes of the game.

This season, they have maintained their winning ways but probably because they are defending champions the jury standards have been very high so their form has been interpreted as good but nothing exceptional.

On form Pirates are definitely looking better than Kobs.

At the line out and scrum set pieces, Pirates are looking very dangerous and can only be matched by Heathens.
With effective touch finders on the Pirates team how will Kobs defend those devastating mauls when Moses Soita has cleared the line outs?

Against the head how will back from injury Brian Odong, Paul Barigye and Oscar Echulu hold out against Solomon Mawanda, Deo Tumuhairwe and Brian Makalama in the front row battle?Everything here is in Pirates favour. Or is it? Will Kob’s pedigree make a mockery of the form book?

Mongers face daunting task

Mongers are the fittest side in the league, they have the attitude and have a very solid defence but they will need a lot more creativity and variation in attack to unlock a vastly experienced and solid Heathens who on paper have the power to control the ball and territory plus the creativity to unlock any defence.

Today we shall find out whether form or pedigree takes the day as some unbeaten runs are going to end.

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