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The victory saw Kobs hit the half-century mark (50 points) with seven games left to play in the second round.
It is a race of tight margins in the Nile Special Rugby Premier League. Any slip-up in the second round will have severe ramifications.
And indeed, the two have faced off in the finals since 2018.
And on paper, table leaders Kobs had the most challenging assignment this weekend. A trip to Jinja to face Jinja Hippos has always been tough for any side.
But Brian Makalama’s charges crossed the River Nile and returned to Kampala with maximum points after a second-half performance that left the home side in a mess.
Kobs won 29-14, Byron Oketayot’s try in the right-hand corner sealing the bonus point to keep the difference between the table leaders and defending champions Platinum Credit Heathens at one point.
The visitors got the perfect start on the day, twice scoring through eighth man Pius Ogena to give Kobs a 10-00 lead early in the first half.
The second try, an interception by Ogena to dash to the try line, looked to have set the pace for a tough outing, but the Hippos roared right back in the game.
Kobs had flyhalf James Ijongat sent to the sin bin for infringement, and the hosts took advantage of the numerical advantage to score and get back in the game.
Two converted tries gave Hippos a 14-10 lead going into the halftime break; Josiah Sempeke had fluffed Kobs’ conversions.
After the restart, it was all Kobs. Ogena completed his hattrick before Mike Otto and Oketayot crossed over to hand Kobs all five points.
The victory saw Kobs hit the half-century mark (50 points) with seven games left to play in the second round.
Meanwhile, Heathens, who missed out on getting a bonus point against Impis the other weekend, collected all five points off Rhinos at Legends to move to 49 points and keep Kobs within touching distance.
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Tonny Okello was the man of the match and scored twice for Muhammad Athiyo’s charges in the first half.
Akera Komakech and Joachim Chisano also got onto the score sheet for the visitors to win 31-07.
There was another slip-up for the Stanbic Black Pirates, their 21-03 win over Toyota Buffaloes at Kyadondo delivering no bonus point.
Marvin Odongo’s troops only managed two tries from Timothy Odongo and Eric Mula.
Ivan Magomu added a conversion and two penalties for the Sea Robbers, but an elusive third try meant they would leave Kyadondo with just four points.
Pirates have now moved to 47 points, three behind log leaders Kobs.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Saturday results
Buffaloes 03-21 Pirates
Rhinos 07-31 Heathens
Hippos 14-29 Kobs
Rams 05-11 Impis
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