Leaders Heathens not taking chances

By Douglas Mazune

Pirates 24 Buffaloes 3

Nile 7 Kobs 66

Rhinos 27 Mongers 20

Impis 5 Heathens 48

Table standings (top four)

Heathens 53 points

Kobs 52

Pirates 37

Buffaloes 33

Remaining fixtures

Saturday

Heathens v Nile

Kobs v Impis

Pirates v Rhinos

Mongers v Buffaloes

April 13

Impis v Pirates

April 14

Buffaloes v Heathens

Rhinos v Kobs

Nile v Mongers

BUFFALOES have suffered back-to-back defeats but Nile Special Rugby League favourites Heathens will not take them

lightly on the ultimate day of the league.

Buffaloes’ giant-killing prowess appears to have fallen flat on its face having lost to Kobs and Pirates in their previous outings but Heathens tactician Brian Tabaruka does not take them lightly.

“Buffaloes denied us a bonus point in the first round. They always play their best game against Heathens and we (will) never take them lightly,” Tabaruka warned. 

Having whipped Impis to go one point clear of title rivals Kobs on Saturday, you would expect Heathens chances to assume a 10th league title ripe with just two games left but Tabaruka warns that there is a big job yet to be accomplished.

Even then Tabaruka does not expect sympathy from Buffaloes who are widely regarded as sister club because they are both under Kyadondo Rugby Club.

“We would not be proud to lift the trophy having asked for an easy hand from Buffaloes.

“They pose a big challenge to us because they still have a lot to play for. Their fight for third position is still on and they have sponsors and fans to please,” Tabaruka stated.

Tabaruka rules out a ‘deal’

“We can’t ask them for a syndicate, that’s not how we want to play the game of rugby.

“They denied us a bonus point in the first run and we expect them to even put up a harder game. We will not have hard feelings against a sister club if they denied us the trophy because it’s a competition and are good sportsmen,” Tabaruka argued.

Should Buffaloes deny Heathens a bonus point, Kobs will be back into contention for the league title. 

Kobs are also left with seemingly easy fixtures against Impis and Rhinos.