Platinum Heathens dethrones Stanbic Black Pirates to win 17th title,

The Platinum Heathens have claimed their 17th title in the Nile Special Rugby League after a narrow victory over the Stanbic Black Pirates, winning 15-13 in the Playoffs Final at Kyadondo Rugby Club on Saturday evening.

The Heathens faced a late challenge from the Sea Robbers, especially when Ivan Magomu’s precise passing helped his teammates score their first try, causing tension among the Heathens’ supporters at Kyadondo.

Despite trailing briefly after the Pirates scored the first points in the seventh minute, the Heathens maintained the lead for most of the match. Their forwards, Emmanuel Byamugisha and Joaquim Chisano, scored two tries in the first half. Malcolm Okello added a conversion and a penalty to keep the Heathens ahead.

The Pirates, however, pushed hard and nearly caused an upset. Led by flyhalf Ivan Magomu, who broke through the Heathens’ defense three times, the Pirates scored two tries in the second half. Unfortunately, a lack of coordination with teammates Roy Kizito and Jeremiah Okello hindered their efforts.

The Heathens’ fans experienced a nerve-wracking finale as the Pirates made a late push with two quick tries from Odongo.

The match was filled with dramatic moments, including three yellow cards. Pirates’ Nathan Bwambale and Haruna Mohammed, the latter for putting an opponent in a choke hold, and Heathens’ Simon Olet were all penalized. Tensions between players caused several stoppages in the game.

Heathens’ captain Michael Wokorach lifted the 2024 Nile Special Rugby Championship trophy, marking the team’s 17th title since the league’s inception in 1990. The Heathens have also secured the XVs double, having won the Uganda Cup earlier this year.

Rugby will take a break and is set to resume after the mid-year international tests with the National 7s Series.