The 2017/18 Nile Rugby Premiership; A review of Week 13

Herbert Wafula

After the mid week clash between Betway KOBS and the Hippos the log now looks neater with all teams having so far played 12 games apiece. This was the earlier match which was postponed due to the Hippos failure to travel to Legends. The KOBS won 45 to 14 points and managed to leapfrog Rhinos into 2^nd position.

Week 13 is one of my favorite weeks in this campaign with almost all games having a fair sense of balance and honestly results can go either way in each of the 5 games being played out at 4 different venues today. Number 13 is regarded as bad omen for many but trust me this will be the farthest thing all the players assembled to do their duty among all the 10 clubs.

Team Plascon Mongers

My top of the clash encounter has the 5^th placed Entebbe Mongers hosting the log leaders Pirates. This clash in the first leg was controversially awarded to the Mongers in a boardroom decision. That game marks the Pirates only loss so far. The Mongers will be out to prove a point and being at home they are never an easy team. The Pirates version of very wide plays will be greatly tested in the narrower Mongers pitch. For the chasing pack-KOBS and Rhinos-they will be hoping for a Mongers win.

At Kyadondo Rugby Club, the Toyota Buffaloes will host the Betway KOBS. The Buffaloes having been buoyed with a double victory over their elders’ Heathens will want to cause an upset in this one too. The KOBS lying in 2^nd position with 51 points will step on the pitch knowing they cannot afford any slip. Buffaloes are currently in 6^th position with 31 points. The query here is if KOBS will be well rested after the Wednesday game against Hippos.

KOBS vs. Buffaloes

The Shell Rimula Rhinos will host the defending Champions Hima Cement Heathens at Legends Rugby Club. Rhinos are currently in 3^rd position with 48 points and 4^th placed Heathens with 37 points. The Rhinos won the first leg clash at Kyadondo. The Heathens are undergoing a rebuilding phase and will need to pull some magical trick to upset the Rhinos who are also still in the title chase. The Heathens will be seeking to stem their dramatic drop from the helm.

Hima Heathens vs. Rhinoes (Cox Muhirwa and Asumen Mugerwa)

The Warriors host the Hippos at Legends at 14:30 hours. Both teams are tied with 9 points and if I was the betting type; probably this is the match I would most confidently state that there is a clear winner in Warriors. Two road trips in a week for the hippos might prove a bit too much for the Premiership rookies.

At the Makerere grounds’ graveyard the Rams are hosting the Impis. Both teams are tied with 6 points each. The slugfest in the relegation zone is equally not for the faint hearted and honestly this game can go either way. This derby will be very interesting since both teams use the same pitch for training and know each other too well.

May the most deserving teams win their clashes and may fans turn up in big numbers and support their favorite teams.