Sports 4 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Pirates Crush Hippos 71-7 in Dominant Premiership Rout
Black Pirates delivered a ruthless 71-7 thrashing to Hippos at Ruck Yard in Jinja, echoing a historic 102-8 defeat from 2018 and propelling Pirates to the top of the 2026 Uganda Rugby Premiership table with 42 points. Hippos managed just a penalty try while Pirates' Timothy Kisiga starred in his 100th appearance. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/rugby/pirates-take-hippos-back-in-time-with-ruthless-display-5446412
Black Pirates overwhelmed Hippos with a commanding 71-7 victory on Saturday at Ruck Yard in Jinja, a result that served as both a stark reminder of past humiliations and a warning of Pirates’ current dominance.
The match evoked memories of Hippos’ 2018 premiership debut, when Pirates handed them a 102-8 loss severe enough to halt play early for safety. Recent encounters had been tight, including Hippos’ narrow 28-27 semi-final win over Pirates in 2024, but this clash exposed a massive gulf.
Hippos, last season’s ‘Kings of Scrums,’ lacked a qualified front row, forcing uncontested scrums that Pirates exploited ruthlessly. Kenneth Matovu scored within seconds of kickoff, followed by Jeremiah Okello and Isaac Massa, with Timothy Kisiga, the 2025 MVP marking his 100th Pirates appearance, converting key tries to lead 29-0 early.
Hippos squandered three penalties inside Pirates’ 22, while Pirates surged to a 43-0 halftime lead with further scores from Massa and Alex Aturinda.
Post-interval, a sin-bin for Aturinda gifted Hippos a penalty try—their lone points—but Pirates responded via Kisiga’s boot, Douglas Komakech, a Haruna Mohammed brace, and a debut try by Carl Alvin Ainemani, who finished a 40-yard run after Eric Mula’s hold-up.
This win, after an 83-3 drubbing of Warriors last week, vaults Pirates to first place on 42 points, ahead of Kobs (41) and Buffaloes (40), who fell 20-18 to Victoria Sharks. The title race tightens into the final week.
Weekend Results (Men): Heathens 25-20 Walukuba, Rhinos 29-10 Warriors, Hippos 7-71 Pirates, Kobs 24-11 Mongers, Victoria Sharks 20-18 Buffaloes, Impis 20-0 Kakira Simbas.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)