Buffaloes spill on Heathens` spotless start
Buffaloes` Paul Masendi shrugs off a tackle against Heathens. Photo by Eddie Chicco
What you need to know:
- Buffaloes host Gulu elephants next weekend and they are already looking at the game as the perfect stage to end the losing streak
Heathens 19-11 Buffaloes
KAMPALA. Hima Heathens recorded a fourth consecutive win but not the way they would have loved after falling short of bagging a bonus point against Buffaloes in the Kyadondo derby on Thursday evening at Kyadondo RFC.
“We wanted to win with a bonus point but its hard luck we did not get it, the positive here is that we won in the end,” said Heathens captain Romano Ogwal after the game.
Heathens came into the game as clear favourites having won all three of their games so far with bonus points , gathering 15 points in the process and atop of the league while Buffaloes were yet to pick up even a point after suffering three consecutive losses.
With both sides missing key players to the Rugby Sevens Cranes who travel to Dubai on Monday, fringe players were going to play a big part in the game.
Early pressure from Buffaloes was a sign that it was never going to be an easy shift for Heathens whose first half play was characterized by handling errors and poor decision making which kept Buffaloes asking all the questions and growing in confidence.
Hooker Alex Mubiru scored a try on Heathen`s first visit to Buffaloes` 22 yard area with Chris Lubanga adding the extras to send them 7-0 up but two Penalties from Fred Odur, who is on standby for the World Series squad, brought Buffaloes within a point on 7-6 just in time for center referee Ramsey Olinga to signal for a break.
The second half saw Heathens` coach Mohammed Athiyo throw on Asuman Mugerwa and Junior Nyango to help his pack run the show and it paid back with Ogwal and Cox Buhigwa scoring a try apiece to make it 19-6.
Buffaloes kept knocking on the door until center Gerald Sewankambo sneaked through to narrow the margin to 19-11 at the death.
Heathens` flank Ronard Aggasi tries to evade challenges from Buffaloes` Robert Masendi and Paul-Epillo. Photo by Eddie Chicco
“We lost but I have picked some positives, I have seen a big improvement from the last games. Everyone is working hard to keep their places even when the national sevens players return,” Buffaloes Edgar Lemirigah told Daily Monitor.
Buffaloes host Gulu elephants next weekend and they are already looking at the game as the perfect stage to end the losing streak
“There are no excuses for our next game, its one we have to win and I hope it will give us a platform to build on for the entire season,” added Lemirigah.
Heathens visit Mongers next Saturday in Entebbe.
