DMark Kobs survive Rhino ambush

Kobs have won their opening three games but another wretched display should keep MTN Heathens as favourites.

Kobs 13-0 Rhino
Heathens 69-7 Mongers
Pirates 54-8 Summerkamp

Kampala

Rhino are yet to find the ability to switch from being an ultra-defensive to a side that scores enough points to win games in the Nile Special Super 8 Rugby League. They kept former champions DMark Kobs scoreless for an entire half before going down 13-0 in an error-strewn game at Legends Rugby Club – former Kampala ground on Saturday.

Halftime replacement scrumhalf Kevin Markmot provided the spark, picking the ball quicker than Kobs had managed during the opening 40 minutes. Though he missed his first two penalty attempts after coming on for Ambrose Kamanyiire, he put Kobs ahead in the 57th minute.

Nine minutes later, wing Justin Kimono stepped to the plate again with a brilliant solo run to score a try and also clinch the man of the match award. Kimono is now Kobs’ primary attacking weapon. “At halftime, we told ourselves that we cannot draw with Rhino,” said Kimono, whom the emcee Ramsey Olinga referred as the best player so far.

Impressive eighth man Norman Luwum, signed from Toyota Buffaloes in the off-season, sealed the victory with his own touchdown but there was nothing to celebrate for Kobs at the final whistle. “Everyone expected a cricket score but we managed to hold on,” Rhino skipper Timothy Buloti said. He was earlier sent to sin-bin just before the interval and started the second half cooling his heels.

Rhino beat G4S Pirates 15-10 for a first victory last weekend. Kobs have won their opening three games but another wretched display should keep MTN Heathens as favourites. The champions conceded the first points this season in the 69-7 thrashing of Sadolin Mongers at Kyadondo grounds. In the other game, Pirates welcomed back eighth man Marvin Odongo from a lengthy injury absence as they got back to winning ways, beating Summerkamp 54-8.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com