Prime
Nkore leads Aredo from the tee
Nkore leads the charts. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
Stanbic Black Pirates and KCB Kobs are locked in at 34 points each with Pirates holding a slim advantage due to their superior points difference (+238 to +214).
With just three rounds left in the regular season of the Nile Special Rugby Premiership, the battle for the top spot is as tight as it can ever get.
Stanbic Black Pirates and KCB Kobs are locked in at 34 points each with Pirates holding a slim advantage due to their superior points difference (+238 to +214).
In a league where the final ranking in this phase decides the strength of the opponent one will face in the playoffs, every point now definitely carries extra weight.
After dispatching Jinja Hippos 38-10 last weekend, Pirates sent a clear statement of intent. But Kobs, with their blend of experience and attacking firepower thumped Elgon Wolves 70-0 to keep level with Pirates and ensure that the race goes down to the wire.
While both teams are almost evenly matched in the standings, the individual brilliance of their top scorers could prove decisive in the remaining games.
Currently, William Nkore who contributed 21 points for Pirates last weekend is topping the scoring charts with 115 points while Joseph Aredo of Kobs follows at a distance with 94.
With points playing a key role, eyes will be on the duo to push their respective teams to points and win bonus points. Eyes will focus on Nkore again as Pirates host Eagles today in Bweyogerere.
Aredo confident
Aredo could have become the second player to cross the 100-point mark last week but was absent in the Elgon Wolves party.
Joseph Aredo. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
However, his composure and precision will be instrumental when he returns today against the tricky Walukuba Barbarians in Jinja.
Aredo knows that the remaining race will be decided by the finest of margins and remains focused both on topping the charts and on the bigger picture.
“It’s not just about my points tally but putting the team in the best position,” Aredo told Saturday Monitor.
“We’ve worked hard to be in this position and now every kick, tackle and decision matters. We have to stay clinical and make sure we take our chances,” he added.
In other games scheduled for today, third-placed Jinja Hippos (31 points) will hope to bounce back from Women’s Day blues at home to Entebbe Mongers.
In Kyadondo, Heathens will hope to catch up with the runaway trio with a tricky derby fixture against Victoria Sharks at Kyadondo.
NILE SPECIAL RUGBY PREMIERSHIP
Top try scorers
Micheal Wokorach (Heathens) - 8
Mark Omoding (Victoria Sharks) - 6
Jeremiah Okello (Pirates) - 6
Top point scorers
William Nkore (Pirates) – 115
Joseph Aredo (Kobs) – 94
Robin Odrua (Pirates) – 91
Ivan Kirabo (Rhinos) – 77
Israel Makhoka (Heathens) – 74
Yassin Wasswa (Jinja Hippos) – 74
Kinyai Hamza (Warriors) – 58
Liam Walker (Buffaloes) – 56
Shakim Ssembusi (Walukuba) – 54
Malcolm Okello (Heathens) – 43
Today’s fixtures (4pm) - Men
Pirates vs. Eagles - Kings Park Arena
Walukuba vs. Kobs - Jinja
Rhinos vs. Buffaloes - Legends
Heathens vs. Victoria Sharks - Kyadondo
Elgon Wolves vs. Warriors - Mbale
Jinja Hippos vs. Mongers - Dam Waters
Women
Thunderbirds vs. Ewes – Kyadondo
Black Pearls vs. Nile Rapids – Bweyogerere
Panthers vs. She-Wolves - Legends
