RESULT: Impis 14-13 Lifeguard Rams
According to the Uganda men’s Rugby Premiership tournament manual sections 4.1 (e) and (f), and guided by procedure from last season, the two teams which lose the relegation playoffs will be relegated to their respective regional championships and the teams to replace them will be the finalists in the promotional playoffs involving the respective regional champions.
Last year, the two relegated teams— Impis and Lifeguard Rams— were from the same Central Rugby Championship. This meant that only one of them, not both, would return to the Premiership immediately.
It also made winning the Central regional Rugby Championship Final a top priority for both Makerere-based teams.
During the regular season, Impis went undefeated and topped the table ahead of Rams whose only defeat was against them. That match, played in mid-match, ended 16-12 with the former weathering the latter’s attack.
The two met this Sunday, April 13, in the championship final at The Graveyard, Makerere.
Impis came out on top again with an even-tighter 14-13 result.
The landlords led from the eleventh minute and did not concede a single point until the seventy-first minute. Their lone try was scored by Travor Kabanda while Matthew Musasizi (penalty and drop goal) and Darren Aine (penalty) delivered off their boots.
The tenants woke up a little too late to successfully snatch victory. Brian Wandera and Ryan Jjuuko touched down once each and Jjuuko kicked a penalty.
Rams were let down by their game management and missed kicks at goal. They will suffer the fate of another season in the championship.
Impis will now continue their journey back to the top flight via the promotional playoffs after the Easter holiday.
