The first five minutes of Black Pirates versus KCB Rugby do not tell the full story of the Enterprise Cup quarterfinal, as the early aggressors fell to the calculated Pirates,11-10.
Straight away from kick off, the KCB made it known that they meant business, with a 50-meter carry from Andycole Omollo, who left 3 bodies in his wake.
The Pirates withstood this pressure and finally came out on top through a William Nkore penalty that eased tensions.
Nkore added another penalty, and it was enough to go ahead at the break, as the KCB failed to convert their try.
The Pirates were fully in charge of the later stages of the first half through linebreaks by Conrad Wanyama and good defence from Davis Shimwa, who was easily the man of the match on the day.
Whereas KCB were coming out on top in the one-on-one collisions, as a unit, the Pirates stayed resolute in protecting their try line.
The Pirates forwards earned their buck at set-piece time, held the KCB scrum, and executed their lineouts fairly well. Hooker Nathan Bwambale and prop Ariho Muhumuza played a large chunk of the game for frontrows. At the same time, Alema “Didi” Ruhweza did his basics at the set piece, but still has some miles to go in his fitness journey.
From the bench, Desire Ayera and Haruna Muhammad were a breath of new life to a Pirates side that was almost there, but not quite yet.
Stephen “Bujju” Alul came on for the spent Wanyama, with the latter deputising at wing as Jeremiah Okello limped off injured.
These were the most influential substitutes on the day for the Pirates, while KCB had no response from their bench.
Black Pirates are the last Ugandan side remaining in the 2026 Enterprise Cup, after a quarterfinal stage in which other Kampala sides were taken to the cleaners.