)
Stanbic Black Pirates completed a Nile Special Rugby League double over Platinum Credit Heathens with a close 08-06 win at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds Saturday afternoon.
The Sea Robbers edged a close affair dominated by handling errors due to the conditions of the pitch following a heavy downpour Saturday morning.
The conditions made it hard for the two teams to run phases.
But with the Pirates’ first visit to the Heathens 22, they won a penalty that Ivan Magomu converted for the game’s first points.
On one of the rare clean runs of the first half, Lawrence Sebuliba attacked from the wing to get territory.
The hosts won a penalty, which winger Michael Amolo converted to level matters at 03-03.
Magomu fluffed Pirates’ chance to regain the lead, his penalty from point-blank range failing to find the target.
Arnold Atukunda knocked the ball forward to invite Heathens’ pressure.
Amolo split the uprights for Heathens’ second penalty at the stroke of half-time to give the hosts a 06-03 lead.
)
The wet ball continued to make it hard for both teams to execute their plays in the second frame.
Amolo was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Stephen Alur, and Heathens had to negotiate 10 minutes a man down.
Paul Epilo knocked the ball forward in the Heathens' 5-meter line to attract Pirates.
And from the resultant scrum, the Pirates dominated for Sydney Gongodyo to score the game’s first try.
Marvin Odongo’s charges pinned the defending champions in their half for the more significant part of the second half to win by two points.
The loss means the title race is no longer in Heathens’ hands.
By winning the game, Pirates went top of the log with 65 points.
Depending on what result Kobs register against Walukuba Barbarians, Heathens could end the weekend in third place.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Result: Heathens 06-08 Pirates
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)