Summerkamp fall into ‘frying pan’

Rugby. The odds will once again be staked against Super Eight debutantes Summerkamp, who faced Heathens’ fire last Friday.

It was a forgettable opener for newcomers Summerkamp as they were thoroughly thrashed by MTN Heathens in the Nile Special Super 8 Rugby League last Friday.

Reprieve is not around the corner as they host DMark Kobs in the first fixture of the second week today at Legends Rugby Club – former Kampala ground.

They shipped a distasteful 0-70 score line against the champions and will need a major improvement to preserve their topflight status.

“That was very tough,” Summerkamp captain David Otwi said after the Heathens game. “We are way better than what we did today and I promise you, it will show.”

Summerkamp won 13 and drew once to win promotion from the lower tier last season so Friday was quite an unknown feeling to the side. It could become familiar too.

Today’s game also offers a slide-show in the Aredo brothers – Summerkamp’s Erasmus and Kobs’ Joseph – as they face each other. It was near-normal service for Kobs who need no further reminders that they haven’t won the league in five years as the Heathens wagon wheel swept everyone away. They started their season with a 49-10 thrashing of Impis. Coach Fred Mudoola should be worried by the slow start to the game.

Kobs only managed one converted try in the first half. “Our pre-season wasn’t good but we will get there,” Mudoola said, referring to the lack of training as Legends shut the door on its tenants.

A second half blitz included tries from Tony Luggya (2), Justin Kimono, Ibra Nyago, Timothy Kabonero to put daylight between them and Impis.

They also welcomed former captain Timothy Mudoola back to the fold along with Brian Asaba, both of whom have been impeded by injuries in the past two seasons.

There is more to come from the Nile Special Uganda Cup holders.

Skipper Brian Odong, Victor Wadia, Edmond Tumusiime, Richard Lumu and the Wakabi brothers – Simon and Lawrence, remain absent for varying reasons from work to injury and compassion.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com