How the title ended up at Heathens

KAMPALA- At the beginning of the 2018/19 Nile Special Rugby Premiership, it was evident that three title rivals in holders Stanbic Pirates, Hima Cement Heathens and Betway Kobs were up for the fight but only one would emerge champion.

The first big statement of the campaign came from Heathens when they visited Pirates in the third week and won 13-3, it was the first time Pirates had failed to score a try since the beginning of their championship winning season.

Seven days later, Heathens were at it again in what can pass as the game of the season. Trailing 12-0 at the break at home against in-form Kobs, Heathens posted 15 unanswered second half points to win 15-12 and go top.

“Today we saw a side that never gives up but plays on to the last whistle,” captain Michael Wokrach said after that game.
Kobs would respond three weeks later with 13-26 win at Pirates’ new home Kings Park Stadium, Bweyogerere, to hand Pirates a second loss of the season. With two losses, they were still in contention only if they avoided a third one.

At this stage only Heathens were unbeaten but were within touching distance as they had failed to pick up winning bonus points, something Kobs and Pirates had made a routine. That would later catch up with them as they dropped to second despite beating Pirates 18-15 in the return leg at Kyadondo. The result sent Pirates crashing out of the title race and helped Kobs assume top spot on points’ difference.
“It’s now hard for us to challenge, this loss puts up in a deep hole,” Pirates’ Ivan Magomu said after being kicked out of the title race.

The race was now between Kobs and Heathens. With the two poised to meet a week later, it became the title decider and Kobs came out on top 26 -21 in another thriller and another contender for game of the season. Kobs led 20-3 at the break but Heathens fought their way back to set up a grand finish. The result sent Kobs atop with a three-point cushion.

Kobs looked set to win a first league title since 2016 but they still had one major task, beating a Pirates side that was eyeing vengeance. And when the time came, Kobs wilted like an old rose as it ended 14-30 in favour of Pirates.

The Sea Robbers had given Heathens a major boost which the latter complimented by beating Walukuba 74-3 the next day to go top. It stayed that way to the end.

Coaching staff
Hima Heathens had a resourceful Tolbert Onyango join the coaching staff. With him came a lot composure and finesse, especially in the backline. The backline might not have been Heathens’ biggest weapon but it came to the party whenever called upon.

New signings
New signings like Charles Uhuru, Paul Epillo, Gerald Sewankambo, Paul Masendi and Diego Olet all played roles in getting the 14th title. Uhuru and Olet reignited the Heathens famous line out while Epillo run the backline like he had been in the side for seasons. Sewankambo was solid in defence and carried the ball relentlessly.

Breakouts stars.
Simon Okwera, Jordan Bongomin, Richard Kanyanya, Benedict Missaga were consistent every week. Okwera won Heathens the home tie against Pirates with two penalties, his pair of penalties also helped see off a spirited Warriors on the last day.
Kanyanya is gradually growing into the Alex Mubiru role and his chemistry with the jumpers spells good news at the club.

Slump by rivals
Heathens had a good campaign but their biggest rivals in Kobs and Pirates could also have done better in the race.
Pirates coach Bobby Musinguzi admits his side kicked off late. “We had a slow start to the league campaign, scoring an average of 34 points per game and did our best to revive it in the second half, pushing it to an average of 46 points per game but it was a little late to defend the title,” he told SCORE.

Kobs had their destiny in own hands but fumbled against Pirates to put Heathens back in the lead. It’s hard to say Heathens played the best rugby but they have more than just skill and talent in their ranks. The patience, discipline, teamwork, hardwork gave them an edge over they lacked against rivals.

PAST WINNERS
1991: Heathens
1992: Heathens
1993: Heathens
1994: Not held
1995: Kobs
1996: Impis
1997: Kobs
1998: Kobs
1999: Kobs
2000: Kobs
2001: Kobs
2002: Heathens
2003: Kobs
2004: Heathens
2005: Heathens
2006: Kobs
2007: Kobs
2008: Kobs
2009: Heathens
2010: Heathens
2011: Heathens
2012: Heathens
2013: Heathens
2014: Kobs
2015: Heathens
2016: Kobs
2017: Heathens
2018: Pirates
2019: Heathens