Going into Match Day 18, Kobs needed a draw to win the title but were totally outclassed by a much hungrier Pirates side in a well-attended game.
The 2023 Nile Special Rugby Premier League season came to an end on Saturday, with Stanbic Black Pirates defeating Kobs 23-07 to lift the title.
Pirates, who defeated Heathens 24-18 in their opening game of the season, needed to beat Kobs in the last game of the campaign to return to King’s Park with the trophy.
And they did so in spectacular fashion, dominating every facet of the game at Legends to move top and win it all.
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16:48 - 13.05.2023
RUGBY Kobs choke under pressure as Pirates snatch league title
The title decider between Kobs and Stanbic Black Pirates was expected to be a tightly contested one but turned out one-sided as the Sea Robbers cruised to the second Nile Special Rugby League title.
Ivan Magomu scored three penalties and converted Timothy Odongo and Desire Ayera’s tries to hand Pirates their second league title.
The victory moved the Pirates to 79 points and was enough to conclude the campaign with the title.
Kobs fall
Kobs were top of the table after Match Day One when they demolished Walukuba Barbarians at Legends.
Brian Makalama’s charges kept switching positions in the top three but regained the top spot when Pirates defeated Heathens 08-06, and they got a bonus-point win over Walukuba late in the second round.
19:19 - 14.05.2023
RUGBY Kobs lacked the composure and mental fortitude to go past Pirates
The Blue Army conceded three penalties in the first half before two second-half tries from Timothy Odong and Desire Ayera, with Ivan Magomu making the extras count as he ensured victory for the visitors.
Going into Match Day 18, Kobs needed a draw to win the title but were totally outclassed by a much hungrier Pirates side in a well-attended game.
The defeat saw Kobs fall from the top of the log to third place.
Meanwhile, Kobs’ loss and Heathens’ bonus-point win over Rams sent Heathens from third into second place.
10:57 - 14.05.2023
RUGBY It's our time, and Pirates is going to dominate for a longer period - Ivan Magomu
Pirates inspirational captain Ivan Magomu, one of the players that played an instrumental role as his side earned the league stripes, says the dominance is warranted because it's their time now.
Muhammad Athiyo’s charges were in control of the title race after completing a double over rivals Kobs in controversial circumstances but were pushed out of the top two after losing to Pirates at Kyadondo.
Saturday’s win moved the 16-time champions to 77 points, while Kobs stayed on 75 to finish third.
Hippos best of the rest
There is a difference of 25 points between third-placed Kobs and Jinja Hippos, who occupy fourth place.
The Jinja-based side finished the season with 50 points, four ahead of fifth-placed side Toyota Buffaloes (46).
Impis (29), Plascon Mongers (27), Walukuba (23), Rhinos (20) and Rams complete the table in that order.
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