Rugby: Warriors begin tasking bend in league

Kampala. Whatever Warriors have done since the Nile Special Premiership broke off three days to Christmas, they must have kept their next three fixtures in mind with Black Pirates, Betway Kobs and Hima Heathens all waiting on consecutive weeks to cap off the first round.
Second on the log and a couple of points behind Heathens, Warriors are still unbeaten. They have won all their games in a season they have been a revelation. Even numbers at their games have shot up as they have transformed into an efficient outfit. Today sees them kick off a run of three tough games against champions Pirates in the first game of the calendar 2019.
“We have played well this term so far and we have been looking forward to the more challenging ties. Saturday’s (today) game against is one we are relishing because I believe both sides equally need a good result,” Warriors coach Ivan Markmot told SCORE.
Pirates who lost just a game last year on the way to winning a maiden league have already lost to Heathens and Kobs this campaign. Another loss would be even a bigger dent to their hopes of defending their title. Warriors want to keep their clean slate intact and have become a stubborn side, setting up a worthy fixture.
Pirates captain Ivan Magomu put emphasis on improvement in all aspects their loss to Kobs. His boss Bobby Musinguzi akcknowleges it’s a different Warriors side all together and that Pirates should be fully prepared.
“ It will be an exciting game. Currently they are seated in the top two bracket and I believe it is not a mistake but a result of the work they put in this season.So we have to prepare accordingly for it is a different team than the one of yesteryears or even the one we faced in the Uganda Cup,” said Musinguzi. Pirates scrapped past Warriors 18-13 in the Uganda Cup quarters last year.
At Kyadondo, Heathens host Plascon Mongers with stretching the lead on card should Warriors slip against Pirates. Fresh from claiming a big scalp in Pirates at Kings Park Stadium, Kobs entertain Buffaloes with hopes of picking up maximum points as they push for a first league title since 2016.