Buffaloes pursue leaders, semifinal slot

Rugby. A team needs to win only four of the seven games to qualify for the knock-out stage of the league next month. Heathens and Kobs have already made it there whereas Buffaloes could join with victory today.

Toyota Buffaloes have a realistic chance of snatching second place when they face Impis in a rescheduled Nile Special Super 8 Rugby League today.

Victory of any kind will ensure Buffaloes’ place in the top four. They will become the third team after MTN Heathens and DMark Kobs to book their places in the semi-finals.
But Buffaloes, third on 15 points, could even leapfrog champions Heathens for the summit with an obscene cricket score.

“Everything is possible,” centre Alfred Bijik said after coming through a tough examination in the 34-18 win over Summerkamp at Legends Rugby Club last Saturday.

Veteran flanker Robert Seguya played at fly-half against Summerkamp in the absence of the injured John Bosco Kyaligonza.
Asked why he chose to play there, Seguya, also the assistant coach/player gave a steering response. “Did I play badly,” Seguya said. “I cannot sit when we are missing a player.”

Buffaloes’ biggest strength has been brisk starts to games and the finishing prowess of Philip Pariyo, both on the wing and the boot.
It’s something Impis, winners of the rugby discipline at the just-concluded East Africa University Games, must cope with.

The omens aren’t good as Impis are yet to win a league game. Impis returned from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania an improved side and pushed G4S Pirates last Saturday in a 37-19 loss for the former. “Our target is to beat teams into total submission early,” Seguya warned.

This marks a busy week that will demand a lot from the players as there is little recovery time between today and the next game.
Buffaloes face Kyadondo co-tenants Heathens whereas Impis host Sadolin Mongers on Saturday.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com