Africa-Press – Uganda. Aaron Mutenyo scored twice as Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Stallions came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Weatherhead in the National Hockey League (NHL) in Lugogo on Sunday.
Brian Okodi opened the scoring for Weatherhead against the run of play and after a flurry of failed conversions from KHC in the second quarter.
He collected a lofted ball from Ashiraf Tumwesigye after finding himself with space and time then whacked it past KHC’s onrushing keeper Richard Kaijuka.
After being played in by Ian Baguma, Mutenyo also found himself in acres of space, created by striking partner Prince Kyambadde’s runs, at the top of the circle to hit the ball past Stephen Otieno for the equalizer in third quarter.
Moments later, Jordan Mpiima, lining up for KHC for the first time this season after nursing an injury, was caught in possession by Maxwell Mugisa.
The speed merchant played the ball wide in the circle to Okodi, who was stretching play in the circle. Okodi lifted it from Kaijuka who had again come to intercept and knocked it goalwards for the racing Mugisa to finish at point-blank range.
Mutenyo, with back towards the backline, then coolly collected an aerial from Stewart Kavuma and deftly finished to equalize yet again.
The draw leaves KHC on 15 points – one ahead of Weatherhead and four behind leaders Wananchi who beat Weatherhead Titans 10-1 on Sunday too – after seven matches for the 10 sides in the league.
Andrew Onyango bagged Titans’ consolation long after Jordan Achaye (3), Jackson Musinguzi, Emmanuel Baguma and namesake Kabanda, Shafiq Byamukama, Nicholas Lukwago, plus Innocent Raskara and namesake Tumukunde had scored for Wananchi.
It is a positive for Titans, who have just one point in 9th place, that they did not concede in the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere, Swabur Kizito scored a hattrick while Faisal Mboga, Mubarak Ndobooli, and Suuna added one apiece as Thunders came from 1-0 down to beat KHC Originals 6-4 on Sunday and jump to 5th.
Michael Heeren, Savious Owne Kalema, Brian Kalanzi, and Francis Epilo scored for Originals, who fell a place down to 7th.
In another thrilling men’s encounter on Sunday, Rockets also came from 1-0 down to beat Badgers 5-4. Aaron Opio, Harold Ntale, Sula Bwabye, and James Larombi scored for Badgers, who dropped from 4th to 6th, while Thomas Opio (3), Ashiraf Musekura, and Brian Ofoyimungu scored for Rockets to jump to 4th.
On Saturday, Andrew Ndhaye and Frank Nsubuga scored as Makerere University, now 8th, laboured to a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Wananchi Wabalozi.
Title and top scorer contest
Meanwhile in the eight-team ladies’ category, KHC Swans’ 7-0 win over Deliverance Church of Uganda (DCU) on Saturday was enough to keep them on top of the table on goal difference as their rivals Wananchi HDF (Hockey Dreams Foundation) only beat Thunders 15-0.
Lucky Akello scored a hattrick for KHC to take her season tally to 10 while her sister Winnie Alaro bagged a brace to push to nine goals. Pauline Ninsiima and Immaculate Nakku added the others as KHC moved to 13 points in five matches.
However, Janet Nakato was able to leapfrog the sisters to the top of the goal scorers’ list with 11 by scoring five for HDF on Sunday.
Her sister Juliet Babirye had a hattrick while Nelly Temaiya and Rebecca Nakalubi scored braces. Vivian Kemigisha, Scovia Auma, and Elizabeth Nampeera added the others.
Jolly Alimo took matters into her own hands on Saturday by scoring four times as Wananchi came from 1-0 down to beat Weatherhead 4-2 to stay within a point of KHC and HDF. Stella Maris Nankinga and Anita Atim scored for Weatherhead.
Weatherhead’s veteran side Diamonds beat Makerere University 1-0 on Saturday, through Denise Apio’s goal, and are therefore a point ahead, on seven, of what is supposed to be their club’s more competitive side.
National Hockey League
Men
KHC Stallions 2-2 Weatherhead
KHC Originals 4-6 Thunders
Wananchi 10-1 Weatherhead Titans
Badgers 4-5 Rockets
Wananchi Wabalozi 0-2 Makerere University
Table
Wananchi 7 6 1 0 85 12 19
KHC Stallions 7 4 3 0 51 9 15
Weatherhead 7 4 2 1 46 13 14
Rockets 7 4 1 2 30 23 13
Thunders 7 4 0 3 31 19 12
Badgers 7 3 2 2 39 15 11
KHC Originals 7 3 1 3 25 42 10
Makerere University 7 1 1 5 5 33 4
Weatherhead Titans 7 0 1 6 6 41 1
Wananchi Wabalozi 7 0 0 7 4 115 0
Women
Wananchi HDF 15-0 Thunders
KHC Swans 7-0 DCU
Weatherhead 2-4 Wananchi
Weatherhead Diamonds 1-0 Makerere
Women’s Table
KHC Swans 5 4 1 0 38 2 13
Wananchi HDF 5 4 1 0 30 4 13
Wananchi 5 4 0 1 22 7 12
Weatherhead Diamonds 5 2 1 2 9 14 7
Weatherhead 5 2 0 3 23 10 6
Deliverance Church 6 2 0 4 10 27 6
Thunders 6 1 1 4 8 54 4
Makerere University 5 0 0 5 2 22 0
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