Heathens hope to avoid another fall

KAMPALA- Losing 11-19 to DMark Kobs in last week’s headlining fixture of the Nile Special Super 8 Rugby League may not be a worry for MTN Heathens.

It’s only the first round.
There is another eight games to go and Kobs’ five-point gap is not overwhelming just yet especially as the leaders will visit Kyadondo Rugby Football Club (KYRFC) ground next year.

Heathens, 24 points, have not lost at home in the league in four years. However, the performance left lots to ponder and coach Brian Tabaruka wants a response when Ezee Money Rhinos visit today.
“Kobs were better than us,” Tabaruka said, ignoring his team’s well-documented kicking frailties that cost them the game. We didn’t deserve to win.

“When you break it down to individuals, the mental psyche was not there,” he added. Being ‘Mr. Nice Guy’, he was never going to pick out names.

Never bothered
But, flank Mathias Ochwo and Michael Wokorach, the two leaders of this team never really bothered the opposition.
Tabaruka (pictured above) should have eighth man Arthur Mukama (exams) return to the side.

“Perhaps you could say the absences affected us. We need to get back to the drawing board,” added Tabaruka. Rhinos will be feeling very confident even if their best chance lies in leaving Kyadondo with a losing bonus point.
It’s been a memorable season for Rhinos thus far as they lie fourth with 19 points.
After winning their opening four games, highlighted by the 29-25 victory against G4S Pirates, they have lost the last two to Kobs and Toyota Buffaloes.

Veteran John Musoke is made for days like this but it’s the contributions of their reserves that’s needed to keep Heathens in sight for long enough to challenge the scoreboard.

WHEN KOBS MET HEATHENS
Quick start: The biggest match of the league started in dramatic fashion with hosts Kobs showing their intention early. Heathens first scrum feed was destroyed and from the resulting turnover lock Ramathan Govule released the flying Justin Kimono to score a try in the corner. James Igonjat missed the conversion. All this happened in the second minute. Heathens replied with a Benon Kizza penalty to cut DMark Kobs’ lead to 5-3. But Kobs ensured they led 12-3 at the breather.

Best moment of the match: The collision area was totally dominated by Kobs. There was an incident where MTN Heathens Lock Romano attempted to stool DMark Kobs hooker Cyrus Wathum, only to get returned to sender .The crowd at Legends thoroughly enjoyed it!

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