Kobs Lift Rugby Uganda Cup

Written by: 
Moses Mucunguzi

 

 

Betway Kobs have lifted the Uganda Rugby Cup to end a two-year trophy drought, beating the Black Pirates 21-14. The Lugogo-based team came from behind to turn tables round and ensure a well-deserved title over the Pirates.

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates took the lead in the tender stages of the game converting two penalties plus a quick try on Musa Muwonge's account. This was before Adrian Kasita managed to convert a penalty for the Kobs.

Everything seemed to go Pirates’ way with a 14 - 03 lead and hopes of adding Uganda Cup to the league trophy for a double this year.

However, the Kobs came with an efficient plan B in the second half as they engaged Pirates in a contact forward play to counteract the Pirates forward line. This yielded immediate results when loose forward Adinan Mutebi utilised his mass to go past Pirate's touch line.

Kobs kept asking questions to which Pirates had no answers. Ivan Kirabo then created and executed a brilliant try bringing the game back to level terms.

The Kobs who were still full of quest had much more to offer. Skipper Adrian Kasita recorded two more tries and conversations to silence the Pirates who were out of options both defensively and offensively.

Kasita's decisive tries turned the scores to Kobs' favour (21 - 14) to crown him man of the match and Kobs, 2018 Uganda Cup champions when referee Sauda Adiru blew the last whistle.

"First half gave us a challenge, we had to get back and restructure before it was too late and we did it," said Kobs captain Brain Asaba after the match.

Pirates winger Broni Kasozi however felt the team relaxed along the way. "We had it but later lost it," said Kasozi. On the other hand, Pirates captain, Ivan Magomu said the result teaches them a lot as they head for the league which returns in less than a fortnight.

Pirates are the league defending champions and they hope to challenge Heathens and Kobs to retain it.

In the other result, the Makerere Impis were beaten in the Shield Cup by Jinja Hippos.