REVIEW: 2013 Rugby League season

By Douglas Mazune

Nile Special Rugby League

Prize money

Heathens Sh8m

Buffaloes Sh5m

Kobs Sh4m

Pirates Sh3m

Mongers Sh2m

Impis Sh1.5m

Rhinos Sh1m

Summerkamp Sh1m

THE inclusion of playoffs in the shortened and more exciting Nile Special Rugby League has had the competition end in time to pave way for other tournaments as MTN Heathens celebrated a fifth consecutive trophy.

The eight teams played a single round of the league and then embarked on the semifinals for the top four while the bottom four faced off to determine their final positions.

The knockout format created a desirable exciting end but robbed teams of the second round of the league. Pundits argued that semifinal knockout after the full league would be ideal.

Heathens remained a dominant side, convincingly winning all their matches including the final against Toyota Buffaloes.

Heathens-Kobs duel snapped

With Buffaloes coming of age, for once, the contest was not between traditional giants Heathens and Kobs.

That for the first time Buffaloes beat G4S Pirates and Kobs is testimony that they were serious title contenders. 

Whether they will maintain the form in the remaining competitions remains to be seen.

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Heathens celebrate winning their 5th title

With Sadolin Mongers and Rhinos failing to live up to expectations, Buffaloes shook the top teams while XFM Impis were stunted as usual.

Youngsters shine

Buffaloes’ captain Alfred Bijik and Heathens’ Phillip Wokorach were impressive. 

“Phillip Wokorach stood out higher than everybody else with his kicks, runs and tries. He would be my player of the league. I am crying that Rugby Cranes are losing a very important player and I wish him a quick recovery. Bijik was great too. Many of the established players didn’t surpass expectations,” Herbert Wafula, one of the national team selectors, commented.

Heathens’ record queried

While Heathens have won the league five times in a row they have not surpassed Kobs’ overall record.

Available records backed by information from the Uganda Almanac, Kobs and Heathens have each won the league 12 clear times.

The Kobs’ 1996 league title which Makerere Impis also claims to have won is not among the 12 times. 

There was confusion in the league that year. Some records credit Kobs with the 1995 league title although they won it as Kampala Combined having merged with Heathens that year. 

Both Kobs and Heathens had a hand in the 1995 league but ideally none of them can claim credit in isolation.

The battle rages on

With the vague accolades sieved out the battle to become the most success club in the league is still on. Heathens and Kobs cannot just be wished away. 

They remain major players regardless of the occasional setbacks.

The good, bad and ugly of the 2013 league

The knockout format generated fresh interest and vigour towards the end, teams that did not play key games at home were denied home advantage while the country’s most promising player Wokorach broke a leg.

FANZONE 22: Asuman Mugerwa (MTN Heathens), Alex Mubiru (MTN Heathens) captain, Mathew Egeru (G4S Pirates), Charles Uhuru (Toyota Buffaloes), Grace Lubega (MTN Heathens), George Scott Oluoch (MTN Heathens), Tim Mudoola (D'Mark Kobs), Robert Seguya (Toyota Buffaloes), Davis Kiwalabye (G4S Pirates), Chris Lubanga (MTN Heathens), Bishop Onen (MTN Heathens), Alfred Bijik (Toyota Buffaloes), Oscar Kalyango (D'Mark Kobs), Philip Pariyo (Toyota Buffaloes), Phillip Wokorach (MTN Heathens), James Kimono (D'Mark Kobs), Dennis Mugambi (MTN Heathens), Timothy Ddumba (G4S Pirates), Marvin Odongo (G4S Pirates), Kevin Makmot (DMark Kobs), David Otwi (Mutoni Warriors), Wako Jackson (Sadolin Mongers)