Scrap Buyers are setting the early pace in what is already shaping up as a three-horse race for the Nile Special National Pool League title.
The unbeaten side moved to 18 points after another productive weekend, edging Roxberry by one point, with Upper Volta a further point adrift on 16.
Scrap Buyers’ latest charge was built around a strong showing at Adi’s Kireka, where they beat Corporate Shooters 15-5, Pot It 16-4 and former champions Mbale 13-7.
Habib Ssebuguzi, who missed the first match day, and Glorious Ssenyonjo were particularly influential, winning all four of their designated games to help the leaders maintain their perfect start.
Roxberry, however, remain within striking distance and have shown plenty of firepower of their own.
Roxberry keep pressure on
Defending champions Roxberry crushed E-Play and Nakawa 18-2 and Club 408 12-8 at Amigos in Kansanga.
Their consistency is reflected in the individual standings, where four of their players feature among the top eight scorers. Ian Kazibwe has 33 points, Simon Lubuulwa 30, Joseph Kasozi 30 and Ibra Ssejjemba 30.
Greater Mukono’s Julius Ssemanda currently leads the individual chart on 37 points after winning 10 of his 12 frames during the second match day at Upper Volta.
The new star’s form provided a bright spot for Greater Mukono, who defeated Tororo 12-8 and Capital Night 14-6 before suffering a 14-6 defeat to hosts Upper Volta.
Captain Najib Yiga believes Mukono can still compete despite losing some of the strength that carried them last season.
‘We’re not as strong as we were last season but we remain a team. We play for each other and we are happy with the performance,’ Yiga said.
Upper Volta refuse to blink
Upper Volta are refusing to let the leaders escape.
Caesar Chandiga’s side won all three of their matches at their Kasubi home, beating Capital Night 13-7, Tororo 15-5 and Mukono 14-6.
The captain says their position in the title chase is no accident.
‘Our start is very promising. We have won all the key games for us and we shall keep focused to win the league,’ Chandiga said after the victory over Mukono.
While the top three have opened a small gap, Club 408 are emerging as an intriguing side further down the table. They sit sixth on 12 points after a much-improved start, having struggled near the bottom last season.
Alfred ‘Blacksheep’ Gumikiriza has provided much of the spark, collecting 29 points. But his much-anticipated clash with Roxberry at Amigos proved a difficult outing as he won only one frame losing the others to Kazibwe, Ssejjemba and Lubuulwa.
Patrick Ssekilime, though, produced a strong individual performance for Club 408, winning three frames, including a break-and-finish against Arnold Ssemukwano and a decider against Ssejjemba.
The league resumes this weekend with all 16 teams divided into four groups, with each side playing three matches on the day.
The women’s league is also expected to begin, with seven teams set to make their opening appearance.
Weekend results
Upper Volta – Kasubi: Capital Night 7-13 Upper Volta, Mukono 12-8 Tororo, Upper Volta
15-5 Tororo, Capital Night 6-14 Mukono, Upper Volta 14-6 Mukono, Tororo vs
Capital Night (Forfeit)
Pacify Hotel – Wakaliga: Sinkers 10-10 Kireka, Wakiso City 5-15 Adi’s, Kireka 12-8 Adi’s,
Kireka 9-11 Wakiso, Adi’s 16-4 Sinkers
Amigos – Kansanga: E-Play 2-18 Roxberry, Club 408 15-5 Nakawa, Roxberry 18-2 Nakawa, E-Play 7-13
Club 408, Nakawa 7-13 E-Play, Club 408 8-12 Roxberry.
Adi’s Kireka: Mbale 14-6 Pot It, Scrap Buyers 15-5 C. Shooters, Pot It 4-16 Scrap Buyers, C.
Shooters 7-13 Pot It, Scrap Buyers 13-7 Mbale.