By Kyobe Peter
Sinkers Pool Club pulled off a remarkable fightback on Sunday, shattering Genesis Pool Club’s hopes of securing their first victory in the Nile Special National Pool League.
The highly anticipated ladies’ category clash, broadcast live on NBS Sport from Itaano Pool Arena in Mukono, saw the visiting Sinkers overturn a significant deficit to snatch an 11-9 win in a tense bottom-of-the-table affair.
Following a three-week hiatus, the league roared back into action, and Genesis were determined to capitalize on their home advantage against Sinkers, the only team they hadn’t lost to away from home.
The early stages suggested a breakthrough was imminent for the Mukono-based side. Natasha Ndibalekera, Jolly Nabaasa, and captain Sylvia Nankindu all secured victories in their opening frames, giving Genesis a commanding 3-0 lead.
Sinkers, however, showed resilience as Rasheeda Nansasi and Lillian Kajumba clawed back two frames.
Genesis managed to maintain their momentum, extending their lead to 6-3 heading into the final frame of the first half. In a hard-fought battle, Sinkers’ Deborah Ibenu secured a crucial tenth frame against Genesis captain Nankindu, reducing the deficit to 6-4 at the break and offering her team a glimmer of hope for the second half.
The interval proved to be a turning point. A rejuvenated Sinkers emerged, displaying renewed vigor and determination. Wins from Nansasi, Brenda Akiror, and Jovia Nakimuli leveled the score at 7-7, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
Genesis appeared to regain control when Nankindu and Ndibalekera both won their subsequent frames, pushing the score to 9-7. Just two more frame victories would have sealed a historic first league win for the home side.
However, Sinkers had other plans. Kajumba and Ibenu once again demonstrated their tenacity, winning their respective frames to bring the score level at 9-9 with only two frames remaining.
The penultimate frame saw Nansasi secure a vital win for Sinkers against Serena Ogumoshabe, putting the visitors on the brink of victory.
The final frame pitted the two captains against each other: Genesis’ Sylvia Nankindu and Sinkers’ Brenda Akiror. Under immense pressure, Akiror held her nerve, overcoming Nankindu’s defensive tactics to clinch the frame and secure an unlikely 11-9 victory for Sinkers.
The tense atmosphere boiled over slightly at the end, with a verbal exchange occurring between Akiror and a home fan, who the player alleged had been disrespectful throughout the match.
Akiror received a yellow card for the incident, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the Sinkers camp as they celebrated a hard-fought victory. For Genesis, the wait for their elusive first league win continues.
