What happened at Damwaters Rugby Club during the first leg of the men’s Premiership playoffs semifinals can only be described as daylight robbery.
Jinja Hippos led against KCB KOBs from the second minute until the eightieth, and looked comfortably in control but they lost it at the last play.
The hosts led by 14-03 halftime, through a Bruno Kisule try and three penalty kicks from Yasin Wasswa. The visitors could only manage a Josaiah Sempeke penalty as they struggled in all departments.
But KOBs were never too far back or down. Immediately after the break, Andrew Odhiambo got his first try and Sempeke’s conversion cut the change to 14-10.
Hippos responded soon later through John Echeru in the corner made it 19-10.
Then Sempeke added a penalty four minutes after the hour mark. And a further ten minutes later, Odhiambo completed his brace to make it a one point game at 19-18.
With two minutes left to play, Wasswa appeared to have sent KOBs packing with a sweetly struck drop goal which made it 22-18.
KOBs needed a full try to win the match, and they got it in the last play through Mark Osuna. It was a patient build-up to an incredible team try which silenced the home fans.
25-22 was the second successive home defeat Hippos have suffered against KOBs, after going two years without any.
The battle between these two teams is not yet over. There will be a second leg at Legends Rugby Grounds on Friday evening to determine who progresses to the final.
