Familiar duel for Heathens, Kobs

All Kenyan teams are skipping the two-day Makerere Impis 10s.

The draw
Pool A: Kobs, Rwanda, Mongers, MUST
Pool B: Heathens, Burundi, Mbale, UCU
Pool C: Impis, S’kamp, Pirates, Gulu
Pool D: Rhino, Stormers, Buffaloes, Rams

Kampala

The draw for the Makerere University Impis 10s is widely expected to keep rivals MTN Heathens and DMark Kobs apart until the final.

That is not a foregone conclusion as both Ugandan giants must finish in identical positions at the end of today’s pool games.

Kobs are seeded in pool A that is completed by Rwanda, Sadolin Mongers and debutantes Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Must).

Burundi, Mbale Elephants and UCU will constitute the barriers for Heathens in pool B as they seek to reclaim the crown they won in 2009. On that occasion, Heathens beat Kenya’s Mwamba at Kyadondo which was the last time it was held before returning to the Makerere ‘graveyard’ for the first time since 2005.

It’s here that Mwamba destroyed Kobs 38-7 in the final, after knocking out Heathens 14-0 in the semis. All Kenyan teams are skipping this two-day event because it collides with the Kenya Cup.

There aren’t many signs pointing to competition beyond Heathens and Kobs. The two, like the routine is, have shared the league, national 7s and Uganda Cup this year.

Heathens’ only concern should be the fitness of flanker Mathias Ochwo as he missed the 13-14 Uganda Cup loss to Kobs. “I am working on it (the injury) then make a decision on D-day,” Rugby Cranes skipper Ochwo said. The hosts Impis, drawn in pool C with Summerkamp, reigning Plate winners G4S Pirates and Gulu Elephants, are optimistic, too.

“We went from fighting relegation in the league to finishing fourth in the national 7s (circuit) so we should compete,” Impis chairman Lewis Lwanga said.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com