Timid Pirates still cannot match rampant Heathens

Pirates have found it extremely hard to break down 14-man teams and have failed to score a try when the numerical advantage is with them.

KAMPALA

There was a near-unanimous verdict as to why G4S Pirates look so near yet so far from matching MTN Heathens and utl Kobs on Friday evening at Kampala ground.
The 6-15 loss to Heathens in the Nile Special Rugby Premier League was largely down to the lack of execution from the backline. “It’s the same thing happening to us every week, I don’t know,” Pirates’ skipper Joel Anguyo told Sunday Monitor.

Having fallen behind inside the first minute to a try from Michael Wokorach, Pirates fought back superbly to get themselves back into the game. They were firmly on the front foot with Heathens only hanging on. It was getting to the champions’ nerve.

Wing Jude Keremundu’s red card for stamping on 31 minutes only reaffirmed how much Pirates were in control. More importantly, the scoreboard still read 0-5. A week ago, Pirates lost 21-8 to Kobs despite the opposing lock Timothy Kabonero being sent off for unsporting behaviour.

Pirates have found it extremely hard to break down 14-man teams and have failed to score a try when the numerical advantage is with them. Throughout the second half, played under a slight drizzle, the black and red stripes threatened to break clear. They never and don’t look like will soon.

Even the things Pirates used to do excel at with jumper Moses Soita (now absent from rugby due to work) are gone as they lost five lineouts.

That was not all they did wrong. Turnovers, knock-ons and everything timid defined them, especially the backs. Though a man down, Heathens still put the hosts on the back foot for the final 20 minutes and the reward was tries for Asuman Mugerwa and Jonathan Onen. The latter is one Pirates wing Jude Kiirya might love to forget as he failed to pick a high ball only for Onen to pounce.

How far are Pirates from winning their first league title? “Our title hopes are still intact. There is an entire second round to come,” Anguyo reasoned. Not many believed him, at least not instantly. Pirates, on 18 points, have a 10-point deficit to close on leaders Heathens. The gulf is perhaps bigger.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com