Another rare slice of Heathens-Kobs in 7s

KAMPALA.

Any Hima Cement Heathens-Betway Kobs clash is bound to touch every juice of rugby passion Ugandans possesses.

However, it’s something that we have all been denied in recent seasons of the National 7s circuit. Over the past seven years, the circuit has not come down to the two eternal giants and foes.

When Heathens won the circuit in 2009, Kobs were not even in the picture as the latter achieved a season clean sweep which had the 7s title as icing sugar.

A year later, neither was competitive. The circuit was held as the two surrendered the bulk of their players to the national team for the Commonwealth Games in India. Makerere Impis won it.

Heathens dominated the next three before Toyota Buffaloes ended that streak. Kobs returned to win it last year for a first national 7s title in nine years.

Finally, it is Heathens against Kobs again to decide the 7s fortune. The final leg of this year’s five-legged circuit, the Roke Telkom 7s, is on today at Kyadondo Rugby Football Club (KYRFC) ground.
There is three points between them with Kobs enjoying the view from the top on 76 points. They won two legs – Jinja and their own Kitaka Memorial event.

Third and fourth places finishes in the Legends Club leg organised by Black Pirates and Makerere respectively kept them at the top. Heathens shed their slow start to win at Legends last Saturday. But, there is no guarantee of the two meeting.

A final linking them is something many will crave though if they both make it that far in the knockout tournament. “We are only in for a victory and that’s all,” Heathens’ 7s captain Brian Kikawa told Saturday Monitor.

His Kobs counterpart Keith Seruyange’s view is no different. “I believe we are the best side in the competition and we deserve to defend our title,” Sseruyange retorted.

Chasers’ fate
Buffaloes are in third position on 64 points and can only win the leg if both Heathens and Kobs fail to even make the plate final, something that is practically impossible.
The overall winner will also bag Shs2.5m. First and second runners-up have Shs2m and Shs1.5m to take home respectively. The MVP will have Shs500,000 to spend for the weekend.
CAST OF 7s WINNERS
2001: Heathens
2002: Heathens
2003: Heathens
2004: Heathens
2005: Heathens
2006: Kobs
2007: Heathens
2008: Heathens
2009: Heathens
2010: Impis
2011: Heathens
2012: Heathens
2013: Heathens
2014: Buffaloes
2015: Kobs

POINTS TABLE
Kobs 76
Heathens 73
Buffalos 64
Mongers 59
Rams 54

Final Leg - Roke Telkom 7s
Kyadondo RFC