RESULTS MATCHDAY 15 | Sat 22nd, April, 2023.
Heathens 06-08 Pirates
Rams 3-23 Mongers
Rhinos 6-3 Buffaloes
Walukuba 7-50 KOBs
Impis 7-17 Hippos
In an exciting turn of events, the Nile Special Rugby Premier League title race arguably looks to have been narrowed down to two teams – Pirates and Kobs.
With just three games left to play. The latest round of matches saw Pirates complete a league double over Heathens with a narrow 8-6 victory, while Kobs put in a dominant performance to win 50-7 against Walukuba.
The result means that Heathens, who were previously sitting in first position, have now dropped to third with 63 points. Pirates, meanwhile, have moved up to second at 65 points, and Kobs have retaken the top spot with 66 points.
This marks a significant change in the league standings, as the race for the title becomes more intense with each passing week.
The first leg between Pirates and Heathens had ended with a scoreline of 24-18 in favour of Pirates, and many expected Heathens to come back stronger in the second leg, and go on to seal their title defence.
However, Pirates, who many had washed off the title race, held their nerve and secured a vital win to keep their title hopes alive.
The match was a tense affair, with Pirates scoring one try and a penalty, and the title holders securing just two penalties.
Kobs, meanwhile, put in a dominant display against Walukuba, scoring 50 points and conceding 7. This comprehensive victory has given them a boost in the league standings, and they will be looking to maintain their momentum in the remaining matches.
With just three games left to play, the title race now looks to have been decided to be between Pirates and Kobs. The two teams will play against each other in the closing game of the season in what could turn out to be the finale to the league campaign.
In the other games, Rhinos continued in their fight to exit the relegation battle after their shocking win over fourth placed Buffaloes 6-3. The win means Rhinos may have just kept themselves in the top tier league for another season.
Rams will therefore be in the solo relegation battle and with three games left to play for, it is looking unlikely that they will register some results that will keep them in the league.
At the Graveyard in Makerere, Hippos defeated hosts Impis 07-15. Impis continues on their poor run of results with just one victory in the second half of the season. In the late kick off, Rams, who are yet to win a game, lost to Mongers 3-23.
As the league campaign comes to an end, the tension is sure to rise, there’s so much at stake and the battle for the title is set to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
