For a moment on Friday evening at Kyadondo Rugby Club, the meeting between Victoria Sharks and Platinum Credit Heathens in the first leg of the Premiership Playoffs Quarterfinals mirrored that during the regular season: nail-biting and low-scoring with Victoria Sharks dominating Heathens.
At half time, the university boys led the defending champions by 16-10 points.
Commanded by their forwards, Victoria Sharks scored through backs Otim Godfrey (one try) and Israel Makokha (three penalties and a conversion).
Despite two yellow cards shown to Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Lawrence Ssebuliba, Heathens got the scoreboard ticking through Nicholas Kato (one try) and Malcolm Okello (one conversion and one penalty).
But the second half was a whole different ball game. Heathens hunted down the Sharks and claimed a 41-26 victory.
Led by their backs, Heathens scored five tries through Joseph Oyet (2), Sylevester Munguachel, Norbert Okeny and Ofoyrwoth.
Their defence stepped up to the challenge and restricted Sharks to just one try (scored by Saul Kivumbi) and two Makokha kicks (penalty and conversion).
It was a typical performance of a veteran club against the newest club in the Premiership. This match had the biggest win margin of the weekend.
Full Playoffs Quarterfinals First Leg Results:
• Victoria Sharks 26-41 Platinum Credit Heathens
• Rhinos 11-20 Jinja Hippos
• Toyota Buffaloes 17-07 KCB KOBs
• Walukuba Barbarians 20-27 Stanbic Black Pirates
Heathens will have a comfortable advantage (25 points) going into the second leg. They also got a shot in the arm with the timely return of captain Michael Wokorach from a six-week injury break.
The second legs will be played next Saturday, April 12, at the venues of the better-seeded teams. The winner by aggregate from both legs will progress to the semifinals.
