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Back-to-back home defeats and concerns over squad depth have pushed Jinja Hippos RFC to intensify training ahead of their remaining league fixtures.
The team has struggled to maintain leads and sustain performance throughout matches, raising questions about endurance, defensive strength, and overall competitiveness.
Hippos suffered a 41-17 loss to Heathens RFC on Saturday at their home ground in Jinja City, marking their second consecutive home defeat after a 31-15 loss to Victoria Sharks RFC the previous week.
In both matches, Hippos made strong starts, scoring early tries but failing to maintain momentum as the games progressed. Against Heathens, they opened the scoring within the first minute, replicating their fast start against Victoria Sharks, where they scored within the opening 10 minutes.
However, their early advantage was short-lived as opponents capitalised on weaknesses to overturn the scores. Team captain Andrew Okello attributed the setbacks to limited squad depth, saying it has significantly affected performance, particularly in defence.
He noted that while the team remains athletic and competitive, a small squad leads to fatigue, making it easier for opponents to break through and score. Okello added that the lack of depth also limits versatility and reduces the team’s ability to create scoring opportunities as players tire before the end of matches.
Head coach Raymond Querisma said the team is focusing on improving scrums, which have been a major weakness exploited by opponents. He acknowledged that many teams in the league have stronger scrum bases but expressed confidence that consistent training can improve their performance.
Querisma also pointed to the need for greater consistency throughout matches, particularly in reducing handling errors such as drop balls near the try line, which often hand advantage to opponents.
On the opposing side, Sky Peter said Heathens are targeting the league title this season, emphasising consistency as key to achieving that goal. He commended Hippos for their spirited performance, noting that strong competition pushes teams to improve and secure better results.
Related
, https://observer.ug/sports/jinja-hippos-in-deep-soul-searching-after-41-17-loss/
