How Rugby League table looks like after ten matchdays

Action between Pirates and Kobs left the latter top of the table (COURTESY PICTURE)

RUGBY How Rugby League table looks like after ten matchdays

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 08:56 - 14.03.2023

Kobs moved to 45 points, while Heathens, still second, are now on 44.

The second round of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League kicked off over the weekend at various grounds across the country.

The Graveyard in Makerere had two top clashes that produced results capable of deciding where the title goes at the end of the season.

First, it was home side Makerere Impis, who frustrated Platinum Credit Heathens and denied the defending champions a bonus point.

Scot Oluoch scored a hattrick of tries while Michael Amolo added another for Muhammad Athiyo’s charges.

But Impis responded with two tries of their own from Kennedy Muhumuza, and Roy Kizito ensured the game ended 24-14.

That result, coupled with Kobs’ 50-14 demolition of Plascon Mongers in Entebbe, separated the two top sides that were tied on 40 points at the end of the first round.

Kobs moved to 45 points, while Heathens, still second, are now on 44.

When Heathens stepped off the stage in Makerere, it was Stanbic Black Pirates’ turn to try and get maximum points to keep pressure on the top two.

But the Rams are bottom of the table and will play each second-round game like a final, and they showed character and resilience despite losing 33-20, eventually.

Not a good result for any of the two sides. The Pirates needed maximum points but only left with four, Rams require each and every point right now, but they got none.

Pirates moved to 43 points, two off the pace in the title run with eight games left on the schedule.

Toyota Buffaloes took care of business, winning 20-17 against Jinja Hippos in a closely contested affair at Kyadondo.

The victory saw Charles Onen’s charges move to 26 points and leapfrog the Hippos into fourth place on the ten-team log.

The loss relegated the Hippos to fifth place with 25 points.

Impis are sixth on the log and have been stuck on 20 points since match day five.

A five-game unbeaten run has been followed by four straight defeats for Syrus Sebuliba’s charges.

Walukuba Barbarians were arguably the biggest winners from the weekend, picking a huge 18-09 victory off the Rhinos at Legends.

The two sides were tied on 10 points going into the fixture, but the Barbarians moved to 14 points after the game to leave the Rhinos and Rams fighting for their place in the top flight.

Rams remain rooted at the base of the table and must turn their resilience into results sooner rather than later to maintain their league status after match day 18.