)
When the draw looked like the most likely result, Kobs struck to score the last try of the game and take four points to go top of the table.
Ian Munyani’s late try gave Kobs a 30-25 win over Pirates in a thrilling encounter at King’s Park Arena Saturday afternoon.
With the game looking like it was headed for a draw, Lawrence Wakabi improvised by releasing the ball to Jude Juuko, who handed it over to an onrushing Munyani to cross the white chalk and win it for the visitors.
A fairly balanced top of the table clash started with Brian Makalama’s charges on the front foot but was highlighted by Kobs’ butter fingers deep in the Pirates’ half.
Collins Kimbowa knocked the ball forward on Kobs’ first visit to the Pirates’ half.
Josiah Ssempeke, Mike Otto and Emmanuel Ecodu all lost the ball forward inside the Pirates’ five-meter line early in the game.
Karim Arinaitwe was the next player in blue to lose the ball forward after an Ivan Magomu’s tackle.
Pirates absorbed the Kobs’ pressure in the early stages before striking through eigthman Alex Aturinda, who was set up by Magomu to touched down in the right-hand corner.
Magomu converted to give Pirates a 07-00 lead against the run of play.
The lead grew from seven to 10-00 after Magomu’s penalty and Kobs were in a spot of bother.
And when Kobs first opportunity to put points on the board came, Ssempeke missed the penalty from point-blank range.
Pirates were momentarily reduced to 10 men after Magomu was sent to the sin bin and that handed the visitors the chance to get back in it.
Adrian Kasito finally put Kobs on the score sheet with a try in the corner, converted by Gizamba.
Calvin Gizamba then got an opportunity to level matters with a penalty but missed from point-blank range.
A run by Kasito from deep set up Arinaitwe, who scored in the corner to give Kobs a 12-10 lead.
Munyani’s knock-on deep in the Kobs’ half attracted Pirates’ pressure leading to a penalty that was missed by Magomu.
Aturinda sliced through the Kobs’ defence to touch down in the corner and put the hosts back into the lead,15-12.
Marvin Odongo’s charges took a three-point advantage into the halftime break but it was Kobs who left Bweyogerere with victory.
Arinaitwe got his second try of the game to open the scoring in the second stanza, touching down in the right corner for Kobs to lead 17-15.
Pius Ogena then picked the ball from the scrum to score and stretch the lead to seven points (22-15).
Desire Ayera came off the bench and made an immediate impact, scratching from a penalty and powering over.
Magomu converted to level matters at 22-22.
James Ijongat split the uprights to give Kobs a 25-22 lead but Magomu levelled with a penalty of his own.
When the draw looked like the most likely result, Kobs struck to score the last try of the game and take four points to go top of the table.
Makalama’s side are now on 30 points, one ahead of the Sea Robbers.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Result
Pirates 25-30 Kobs
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)