Teams condemned to the Relegation Playoffs had already been known but there was unfinished business on the final round of the regular season this Saturday— to confirm the rankings of the teams and thereafter, the fixtures.
Elgon Wolves and Eagles visited Toyota Buffaloes and Heathens respectively at Kyadondo Rugby Club while Plascon Mongers and Warriors faced off in Entebbe.
Mongers and Warriors were separated by just a point, so the fixture was a straight shootout for a crucial ninth place finish.
As expected, it was a nailbiting brawl from start to finish; culminating in Warriors snatching the victory from Mongers by 29-28 points.
The hosts scored and led first through Robin Odrua’s try and conversion before the visitors responded with a Gabriel Aredo try converted by Ivan Longa and a Longa penalty.
Warriors led by 10-07 at halftime.
After the break and up to the full hour mark, Warriors made it 19-07 through three Longa penalties. Mongers then crawled back with two tries by Odrua & Joshua Malik and two Odrua conversions to lead by 21-19.
Captain Hamza Kinyai restored Warriors’ advantage with a penalty which made it 22-21 in the last ten minutes.
But Mongers retook the lead through Cedric Oronje’s try and Odrua’s conversion to make it 28-22 in the seventy-third minute.
Warriors were not to be outdone, however, as Stallone Arinaitwe touched down and Longa delivered the sucker punch with just one minute on the clock.
Warriors held on for a 29-28 result which was a huge boost to their survival chances in the Relegation Playoffs.
Warriors will face Elgon Wolves who have limped through their first season in the top flight while Mongers will battle Eagles.
Full Round Eleven Results:
• Toyota Buffaloes 55-03 Elgon Wolves
• Platinum Credit Heathens 57-09 Kampani Eagles
• Rhinos 10-49 Stanbic Black Pirates
• Walukuba Barbarians 13-18 Victoria Sharks
• Jinja Hippos 23-24 KOBs
• Plascon Mongers 28-29 Warriors
The Relegation Playoffs will kick off in three weeks’ time on Saturday, April 12. They will be played in a home and away format.
