Howdy…hope the week has been kind unto thee, first my apologies for not posting the game week 8 review, I also have a life you know, one that needs attending to, this was one of those instances. Either way it’s not like most of you noticed anyway..hehe!
To the rugby, first the day 1 results of the Wellington sevens for those who haven’t seen them yet :
Kenya 35 -10Australia
Kenya 17- 26 France
Kenya 14 – 21 Canada
The results mean that we drop to the bowl in day 2, but just. It was a breath of fresh air as the mboys started the series with a spring in their step, you could see that they wanted it..and wanted it bad! They brushed aside the kangaroos after a shaky start to that game, a welcome gift for those of us who woke up before our cocks (both meanings apply!) to watch the proceedings. They were unfortunate not to repeat the same in the second game as a few lapses here and there gave the french the win. Game 3 was all to play for, the mboys were leading the pool and needed a win to secure qualification to the quarters. Everything started well as Oscar Ouma raced to the line to give us a 7-0 lead, the canadians replied with a try of their own but we would head into the break 14-7 ahead courtesy of the high flying Collo. The second half was characterised by a deep in conncentration in defence, this gave the North Americans the opportunity to make two quick tries and demote us to the bowl. We finished bottom of the pool, 2 points behind the leaders Canada who move on to the main cup quarters with France.In the end it was a case of too close yet too far!
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| Kuja hapa wewe..ati unaenda wapi? mmh! |
All in all it was a great improvement by the mboys compared to the last time we were out. The defence systems ticked especially in the first game, it’s a pity most of you did not watch it. The bowl would be a great start for this side, as we head into Las Vegas baby. I was told that you must add the ‘baby’ every time you mention Las Vegas (baby). Collo ended day one as the top try scorer, on five tries as captain Ashioya stands 9th on the list tied with another 16 guys all at 2 tries each, Lavin has a total of 16 points going into day 2.
We play scotland in the Bowl quarters at 3.00 am local time (yaani Kenyan time.)
Kenya Vs Scotland (3.00 am) – Bowl Quarters.
Possible opponents from this point, yaani after the Bowl quarters will be from Wales, USA, Australia, Japan, Cook Islands and Argentina.
Sheild Semi – 6.10 am
Sheild Final – 9.30 am
Bowl Semi. – 6.54 am
Bowl Final. – 10.00 am
Back home, Matchday 9 takes centre stage tomorrow, with the following fixtures lined up :
Kisumu Vs Nondies – Kisumu Polytechnic
Quins Vs KCB – RFUEA grounds
Machine Vs Impala – UoN grounds
Homeboyz Vs Mwamba – To be confirmed
Strathmore Vs Nakuru – To be confirmed.
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| Sikupiga hizi picha za kuweka kwa album yangu, so here! |
Going into this one, we have a three way tie at the top, involving Mwamba, KCB and Strath all on 24 points. The three are separated by their aggregate points scored, Kulabu amassing 81, KCB follow with 64 then the XXVII crew at 49 if I am not mistaken, I don’t think I am. The three are followed by Nakuru who are a point adrift (23), Impala (17),Quins (16), Nondies (11), Machine (10), Homeboyz (9),Kisumu (6). I’ll get an app for the league table so that y’all can have a better look at the same, till then your concentration skills should be up there.
We start in Kisumu, where the Kondele boys host us guys of Nondies. Both sides coming from bruising defeats, Kisumu at the hands of the ruthless Kakamega crazy boys and Nondies who were outdone by a highly technical Strath side. These two will look to quickly bounce back from these defeats, the Kondele boys mostly who still have just one win. Nondies will look to brush off their loss and get back to winning ways, it’s going to an interesting one at the lakeside but looking at the squads Nondies have an edge over their hosts. But again, this is rugby.
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| Impala in action against Quins. |
Machine host Impala, at the UoN grounds. Eschuma have been in quite the form since the turn of the year, they have just been unlucky with the results. Last week being no different as they just fell short of upsetting league leaders kulabu, eventually going down 23-20. Impala should still be scratching themselves after the defeat to rivals Quins, a match that they had more possession and dominated much of the proceedings. I wait to see whether they have learned from that match or not. Machine have had a decent run against Impala and will hope this run continues, let’s hope that they did not over do the end of exam parties, hehe.
League leaders Mwamba take on Homeboyz in a match whose venue is yet to be confirmed, the Nyayo national stadium maybe? Not really as Homeboyz are the host side, it’s unlikely so we just have to wait for that game at Nyayo a bit longer. Kulabu are on the ride of their lives, they’ve been perched at top of the table for the better part of this season, though mostly on aggregate score or a point, but who cares? If the league were to end this way they’d be crowned champions. Okey back to reality, they take on a homeboyz side that is no push over and which will be out to prove a point, that their high start to the season was no fluke. This match hands the Djs this opportunity, kulabu will look to continue piling the misery on the Djs, a close encounter this one..maybe too close?
To another fixture whose venue is yet to be confirmed, Strathmore Vs Nakuru. The XXVII crew who have more than brought it this season under the guidance of one Paul Odera are up against the rough and tough Wanyore. Strath fresh from a morale boosting win at Nondies, though it depends on who you ask as according to some, that was a routine victory for them. Strath were highly technical and played to their strengths in that win over Nondies, the students displayed great character and teamwork at the Jamuhuri grounds, a repeat of the same will almost certainly see them rewarded again. Though it will take a bit more than that to see off a determined Nakuru side that has also been on top form this season. This match will most definitely be a cracker whichever way it goes.
Finally to the feature match, The Lunch Bar Quins, Lol (sorry guys but I can’t stop laughing at that name, it doesn’t sound right.) take on KCB at the RFUEA. If there is one match that I look forward to, then it has to be this one, no doubt. These two giants of the Kenyan game never fail to turn grass, blood, sweat and tears every time they meet amidst the beers the cheers and the jeers from the large crowds they draw out.
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| Mathenge I in action. |
The last time these two met late last year in a ‘friendly’, (there’s nothing friendly when these two meet) it ended in a KCB win, don’t remember the score but there was little to pick between the two. Before that, it was last season’s Kenya Cup fixture where it ended in a 19 all tie, this result the only blemish in a flawless season for Quins. Infact recent encounters between the two have not been decided by more than 5 points.
The Lunch bar quins (lqtm!) are now looking more of the side with the title defending champions, with victories over Mwamba and Impala bringing a renewed sense of belief within their ranks. They come into this game from a deserved victory over Impala, in a match where they were highly tactical and effective especially in attack, with the minimal possession they were afforded. Every time they breached the Impala 40 yard, they scored and that is what won them the game in the end, they will need to carry on with this form if they are to get one over the bankers.
KCB on the other hand will look to end what has become a run of bitter and narrow defeats to their hosts, they go into this match on the back of a resounding victory over Kisumu, they will look to keep the momentum going and return the defending champions to their misery. I know I say this alot, here I go again, this will be a contest at the forwards, but this one will be the battle of battles. Arguably the best sets of 8 this country has to offer, expect every lineout, every scrummage and ruck to be a contest, whoever gets the edge over the other in this department will have formed a solid path to victory. Don’t expect me to call this one, though expect me to thoroughly enjoy it.
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| The Quins fowards mauling to the try line, last weekend. |
Other fixtures are as follows :
Eric Shirley Shield
Western Bulls v Nondies II
Machine II v Impala II
Homeboyz II v Mwamba II
Strathmore II v Nakuru II
Quins II v KCB II
Nationwide West
Kisumu II v Eldoret
Kakamega v Kisii
Webuye v Moi Univ
Maseno v Masinde Muliro
Nationwide East
Blak Blad v Msa Poly
Mombasa v Oryx
Spartans v USIU
Universities
Multimedia v Comras
Kimathi v Egerton
KEMU v Daystar
Thika v Nazarene
Kenya Poly v Cath
The Poll for player of the year 2011 has closed, *taps mic and clears throat*, *opens envelope* and the winner is…*insert drum rools, vifijo, nderemo, whisolings here* THE MNYORE, THE ONE, THE ONLY OOOOSSSSCCCCCCAAAAARRRRR OOUUMMAAA!!! I will do a special post later this week, on the whole poll but it was close.
We end this one with an announcement that the U-19 trials will be held at the RFUEA grounds on 12th Feb, proof of identification will be required i.e an original birth certificate. Usiende ati una baby face na una miaka twende fae (25) ati unataka kupush ball, kasukumane na mababa wenzako huko, wacha vijana wacheze. The age bracket is 1st Jan 1993 – 31st Dec 1994, waah yenyewe nazeeka, ati watoi walizaliwa nikiwa nisha anza kukatiana na nikitafuna githeri wamekua mabuda?! Hell…Anyway away from my early life crisis, this team will play in the Tier 1 CAR U-19 (to be held in Tunisia this July) after the previous team won the Tier II last year. They might also feature in the Cottco Cup in Harare in April. I hope as we go on these trials will start at the grass roots before culminating in the national level. Or do they already do that?
As I pack and go to enjoy my weekend, 6 nations ndio hii imeanza, watu wajitambulishe, I am with le coq sportif or to you France, but won’t mind the Welsh taking it!
Finally, Kesho we damka early or don’t sleep at all as we continue to support the mboys…
“Kenya is the home of Rugby,our’s is the only flag with a rugby ball at the centre of the flag, some call it a shield I say our fore father’s didn’t have a clear picture of what they wanted to depict, but you can see what their intention was. What more proof do you need?” – Yours truly..Poghie.
With that fair Ladies and Gents…..
KWISHA!!!
P.S You have no idea the amount of joy you give me when you post a comment down here, hehehe so go on spread the joy and leave a name after your comment, thanks!
