Victoria Sharks coach predicts strong comeback against Heathens
“We had a better game, better ball possession, but made a few mistakes and decisions that led us to leave 12 points on the pitch; otherwise, we would have won it,” Makamot said.
Victoria Sharks have it all to do after racking up a 15-point deficit ahead of the quarterfinal 2nd leg. (Photo by Johnson Were)
Johnson Were
Journalist @New Vision
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Quarterfinals
Victoria 26, Heathens 41
Walukuba 20 Pirates 27
Buffaloes 17 KOBS 7
Rhinos 11 Hippos 20
A 15-point margin in rugby is too small for a side to celebrate when there is a second leg to come.
That is the message the Victoria Sharks' technical bench, consisting of Kevin Makamot and Cyrus Wathum, sent to Platinum Credit Heathens after their first-leg quarterfinal match at Kyadondo, which ended 26-41 in favour of Heathens.
Makamot said it was too early to tell who would advance to the semi-final because the result did not reflect the actual game played.
“We had a better game, better ball possession, but made a few mistakes and decisions that led us to leave 12 points on the pitch; otherwise, we would have won it,” Makamot said.
“We led them at one point, but because of poor decision-making, we gave away that lead. However, it is not over. We will return to the drawing board and come back strong for a win,” Makamot added.
Walukuba targets Pirates
It is the same message that Walukuba tactician Leo Lubambula sent to the Stanbic Black Pirates.
Pirates's Ariho Muhumuza with the ball tackled by the Barbarian Opponents during their Nile Special Rugby Premeirship Quarter final first leg in Jinja. Pirates won 27-20. (PHOTO BY JOHNSON WERE)
Pirates defeated Walukuba Barbarians 27-20 in a tightly contested first leg in Jinja on Saturday, while Heathens beat Victoria Sharks 41-26 on Friday, and they meet in the second leg on Saturday.
Lubambula said that a seven-point margin was too small for a side to start thinking about the next stage, and he was convinced they could overturn that in the return leg.
“We put up a good contest and played a better game. However, we kept the margin close, so when they got the few opportunities, they executed and took the day with a seven-point lead,” Lubambula said.
“We're happy with the result, and it gives us the momentum to attack and overturn it in the second leg,” Lubambula added.
His Pirates counterpart, Marvin Odongo, was happy with the win but acknowledged the need to step up their game in the second leg at home.
“It is a knockout stage, and I’m impressed with any score as long as it is in my favour, but we are going to prepare better for them in the return leg and hope for a better result,” Odongo noted.
Arnold Atukunda managed two tries, Timothy Kisiga and Alex Aturinda each scored a try, while William Nkore added the penalty and two conversions for the Pirates. Bob Kawanda and Edward Emiemu managed a try each, and Gift Wokorach added the two conversions and penalties.