Betway Kobs have made their intentions clear of winning this year’s Roke Telkom National Rugby sevens.
The Betway sponsored Kobs beat Black Pirates 15-14 in a crunch final to claim the Henry Rujumba Memorial Sevens circuit at Kings Park in Bweyogerere.
This is Kobs second circuit win after winning the opener at Kyadondo. Pirates won the second circuit, the inaugural Buddu 7s where Kobs came second.
Kobs now sit at the top of the log with 63 points above Pirates on 60 points with five circuits still to come.
“Its about working hard and believing in ourselves, and that helped us to become victors today,” said Kobs’ Pius Ogena who credited his team’s Possession in defense and cutting off Pirates’ strong runners.
“We showed good composure, self belief and we also did not panick. We can go all the way if we work harder.”
Kobs exploded their way out of Pool B that had Hippos, Rhinos and Gulu Elephants before eliminating Walukuba 45-00 at the quarter finals.
The side overcame Michael Wokorach’s Hima Heathens 12-07 at the semis to storm the finals where they faced Pirates who had eased past Warriors and Hippos at the quarter and semis respectively.
It looked like a mission impossible for Kobs to beat Pirates who was playing at home ground in the finals as Kobs did not have Joseph Aredo and Adrian Kasiito.The latter was shown a red card with plenty of time on the clock in the semis in the second half but Kobs managed to hold their nerves and eliminated Heathens despite the Kyadondo side having a numerical advantage for over four minutes.
Tries from Nobert Okeny (2) and Al Hajji Manano sealed a triumphant outing, with the former scoring the last try at the death.
Isaac Rujjumba and Desire Ayera’s tries and consequent conversions from William Nkore and Ivan Magomu proved not enough for Black Pirates.
Rujumba Sevens Results
Quarterfinal results:
Pirates 14-00 Warriors
Kobs 45-00 Walukuba
Heathens 24-05 Mongers
Hippos 12-05 Buffaloes
Semis
Pirates 34-05 Hippos
Kobs 12-07 Heathens
Finals
Kobs 15-14 Pirates
Still to come
2019 National Rugby Sevens Schedule
*Saturday 6th July 2019 – Heathens 7s (Kyadondo)
*Saturday 20th July 2019 – Coronation 7s, hosted by Rhinos at Legends
*Saturday 3rd August 2019 – Jinja 7s (Dam Waters)
*Saturday 17th August 2019 – Mbale 7s (Mbale)
*Saturday 24th August 2019 – Edward Kitaka Memorial 7s, hosted by Betway Kobs at Legends.
