Saturday, May 7
•KOBs 10-22 Heathens
•Rams 06-29 Pirates
•Impis 13-13 Buffaloes
•Warriors 13-20 Hippos
•Rhinos 22-21 Mongers
Heathens were on Saturday crowned champions of the 2022 Nile Special Rugby Premier League at Legends.
The ‘Yellow Marchine’ cruised to a deserved 22-10 win over rivals KOBs to finish the season unbeaten – with 87 points!
Coming into Saturday’s game, Heathens had already won the title with a game to spare but it’s their unbeaten stake that was on the line.
Visiting a defending Champion, Heathens were slow starters and trailed 03-00 after KOBs went for points when they were awarded a penalty for Josiah Ssempeke to split the uprights.
But Heathens responded quickly, and with a bang; Nobert Okeny Sexton crossed over for their first Try.
Innocent Gwokto found space in KOBs defence to score the second try before Chris Lubanga added the extras, Scott Oluoch added the other try for Heathens to take a commanding 17-03 lead at the break.
Romano Ucu extended Heathens lead with a Try from a moving maul and a late rally from the hosts was rewarded with a Penalty Try but it proved little too late as Heathens finished unscathed with a bonus point as well.
And the final whistle was greeted with euphoric celebrations as fans who marched to Legends in procession with a band before kickoff, then stormed the pitch to congratulate the players.
Heathens players were given a guard of honour by KOBs players on their way to receiving the title, handed to Team captain Michael Wokorach by NCS Chairman Ambrose Tashobya.
And the trophy celebrations, ignited by Nile Special, continued throughout the night.
It is strong to note that KOBs also won last season’s title unbeaten but the league was played under one leg!
Pirates finish the season in second with 77 points as KOBs settles for third place with 72 points.
Warriors are relegated to the second division after finishing bottom of the 10-team pile, having won once in 18 games!
Past Winners:
1990 – KOBs
1991 – Heathens
1992 – Heathens
1993 – Heathens
1994 – Not held
1995 – KOBs
1996 – Impis
1997 – KOBs
1998 – KOBs
1999 – KOBs
2000 – KOBs
2001 – KOBs
2002 – Heathens
2003 – KOBs
2004 – Heathens
2005 – Heathens
2006 – KOBs
2007 – KOBs
2008 – KOBs
2009 – Heathens
2010 – Heathens
2011 – Heathens
2012 – Heathens
2013 – Heathens
2014 – KOBs
2015 – Heathens
2016 – KOBs
2017 – Heathens
2018 – Pirates
2019 – Heathens
2020 – Heathens
2021 – KOBs
2022 – Heathens
