Scrap Buyers set early pace in National Pool League

Scrap Buyers have emerged as the early leaders of Uganda’s National Pool League after an unbeaten start to the season, collecting 18 points from the opening rounds.
They lead Roxberry by one point, with Upper Volta a further point behind on 16, setting up a closely fought battle at the top of the standings.
Scrap Buyers strengthened their position in the latest round at Adi’s Kireka, where they won all three of their matches. They beat Central Shooters 15-5, Pot It 16-4 and Mbale 13-7 to preserve their unbeaten record.
Habib Ssebuguzi and Glorious Ssenyonjo played key roles in the run, winning all four of their designated games as Scrap Buyers secured maximum points from the match day.
Roxberry stayed within striking distance after an impressive outing at Amigos in Kansanga. They beat E-Play 18-2, Nakawa 18-2 and Club 408 12-8 to move to 17 points.
Their strength is also evident in the individual standings, where four Roxberry players feature among the leading scorers. Ian Kazibwe has 33 points, while Simon Lubuulwa, Joseph Kasozi and Ibra Ssejjemba have 30 each.
Upper Volta also enjoyed a perfect match day at their Kasubi home, beating Capital Night 13-7, Tororo 15-5 and Greater Mukono 14-6 to reach 16 points.
Greater Mukono had earlier defeated Tororo 12-8 and Capital Night 14-6 before losing to Upper Volta. Despite that setback, Julius Ssemanda has provided a major individual highlight for the club, leading the scoring charts with 37 points.
Ssemanda won 10 of his 12 frames during the second match day at Upper Volta as Greater Mukono continued to compete strongly despite changes to the squad that performed well last season.
Club 408 have also made early progress, moving into sixth place with 12 points after struggling near the bottom of the standings last season.
Alfred ‘Blacksheep’ Gumikiriza has been among their leading performers with 29 points, although he found the going tough against Roxberry, winning just one frame in encounters with Kazibwe, Ssejjemba and Lubuulwa.
Patrick Ssekilime provided another bright moment for Club 408, winning three frames, including a break-and-finish against Arnold Ssemukwano and a decisive frame against Ssejjemba.
The National Pool League resumes this weekend, with the 16 participating teams divided into four groups. Each team will play three matches during the programme as the race for points intensifies.
The Women’s National Pool League is also scheduled to begin this weekend, with seven teams expected to contest the opening round.