On Saturday -27th of September-, Heathens Rugby club will be back on field in the Arua 7s circuit at the Green Light Stadium, to challenge for the top seat of the Nile Special 7s after beating Hippos 12-10 in the finals of the Entebbe 7s.
The 2021/22 premier league champions are currently second on the log, three points behind Stanbic Black Pirates who lead with 37 points.
Table leaders Pirates finished fourth in the second circuit at the Namate Works Grounds in Entebbe to narrow their lead and extend hope to sides that struggled in the Wakiso 7s.
Heathens will be motivated by their victory in the Entebbe 7s circuit that saw them bury their unconvincing performance in the opening circuit (Wakiso 7s) at the Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere according to their Captain Nicholas Kato.
“The win in Entebbe gave us a way forward to look upon the coming circuits. It gave us the belief that we can make it in the remaining circuits.” He told @sportsOcean.
“Its always a big game against Pirates, but we promise not to put down the weapons as we are ready to battle in anyway.” He added.
Nicholas also says their target is to play every one of their game as a final and he is aware of how tough the Arua 7s will be, but an assured victory awaits them.
Their toughest opponent to watch out for will be “best placed” Stanbic Black Pirates with whom they met twice in Entebbe last weekend and drew 7-7 in the group stage but later came back to win convincingly with 31-00 in the semi finals.
In the Arua 7s circuit, Heathens are grouped along with Pirates, Warriors and the hosts Nile Leopards in pool A, while Hippos, Rams, Kobs and Gulu Falcons are in pool B, and Buffaloes, Impis, Walukuba and Mongers in Pool C.
Heathens will open up their round one in the Arua campaign with hosts Nile Leopards at 9:40 am after Pirates’ game against Warriors scheduled for 9:20 am.
The Nile Special 7s consists of 7 circuits and this will be the third circuit, making it four circuits to go.
The four include the Rujumba 7s, to be hosted by Pirates on 3rd and 4th September at Kings Park, Tooro 7s in Buhinga on 17th September, Kyabazinga 7s in Bugembe on 24th and 25th September, and finalize with the Buffalo 7s at Kyadondo on 15th and 16th October.
Official sponsor of the series Nile special has invested UGX 440 million into the tournament, with 200 million coming in cash and the 240 allocated to media, drinks, activations and promotion. Other sponsors are Stanbic, Safeboda, Rugby Chill and Plascon among others.
