Habari yenu? Hehe don’t worry this one is in English..The theme for game week 12 of the Kenya Cup must have been Revenge, let’s look at the scores first.
Quins 55 – 6 Homeboyz
Nondies 38 – 0 Impala
Machine 28 – 11 Kisumu
Nakuru 26- 9 Mwamba
Strathmore 17-10 KCB
None of the first round winners managed to complete their doubles over their respective opponents, this leaves the league table looking something like this :
1. Nakuru – 37
2. Strathmore – 37
3. Quins – 35
4. KCB -35
5. Mwamba – 30
6. Impala – 27
7. Nondies – 22
8. Machine – 20
9. Kisumu – 12
10. Homeboyz – 10
The lunch bar Quins continued their trot up the league table by cruising past Homeboyz 55-6 at the Rfuea. The quartered shirts were in cruise control from whistle to the last as they easily saw off a Homeboyz side that really failed to keep up with them.The result sends them to third tied on points with KCB but boasting a superior aggregate points tally. On the other hand Homeboyz are back to square one after showing a lot of promise last weekend against KCB but capitulating in this one. The DJs remain anchored at the bottom of the standings, I hope they do bounce back from this defeat and get back to the side that I saw earlier this season.
At the St. Mary’s school, the red lions of Nondies left no bone unturned as they feasted on the hapless Impala. Like most of you I had to pull the ‘ati what?’ phrase when I first heard of this score. Not taking away anything from us guys of Nondies but I am almost sure that they themselves did not expect this big a margin. Nondies really put in an extra ordinary performance to get this result, Ben Nyambu and Calvins Biko each with a brace. If only they could replicate this constantly they would be fighting up there not hanging in mid table. As for Impala it’s unfortunate that they could not build on their impressive win over Strathmore last week, they are now surely out of the title race as the leading pack breaks away.
Machine finally put things right against Kisumu but it was not that easy. Eschuma had to dig dip to see off the stubborn kondele boys who were really up for this one. Kisumu will be proud of this performance as they continue their learning curve in the big league. Machine managed to shake off the drubbing by Quins and remain in 8th still two points adrift of Nondies and 10 ahead of bottom place, 8 ahead of their weekend opponents.
In Nakuru, the Wanyore kept their 100% home record after beating Kulabu 26-9 with this they went top of the table for the first time this season( if I am not mistaken) though on a better points aggregate than Strathmore. It was a tight contest in the first half as the scores were 6-3 to kulabu but a spirited second half display inspired by none other than the OSBK (Odd Shaped…you know the rest ) player of the year 2011 Oscar Ouma ensured the Wanyore remained home with the spoils and top spot. My prophetic skills failed me once again in this one as I had predicted a draw or a very small winning margin in this one. It’s good to see the wanyore in the thick of things at this stage of the league, as they usually start so well but fade away as the league ages, this time they have held their own or am I talking abit too early? I don’t think so. Kulabu are slowly drifting away after losing back to back games, they now find themselves 7 points off the pace they used to set not so long ago. Away from the game no actually after the game as kulabu were heading back to Nairobi they came across a road accident and as good citizens of they pulled over to rescue the victims, and ensure that they got to hospital. That was a very noble deed by the guys, and I am sure there are lives out there that are forever indebted to you..kudos! Just thought that was worth mentioning.
To my feature match, the top of the table clash heading into this game week, KCB who were first taking on Strathmore who were third. This match was always going to be a tough one and one needed to take every opportunity they had to put points on the score board. Strathmore started the livelier of the two as they won two quick penalties inside the bankers 44 but elected to go for the lineout both times. KCB were happy to defend an area that they are usually flawless in. Andola was to take matters in his own hands or should I say boot as he slotted in a drop goal to give the students from the good university the lead. Strathmore would continue attacking though they could not take advantage of their superior ball possession. KCB would settle in their rhythm and start imposing themselves on their opponents, they would force the students into an infringement which they opted to kick for the posts, Darwin Mukidza sailing it wide. KCB continued their dominance bringing in big hits, this led to another penalty from which Mukidza made amends for his first miss, tying the scores at 3 all. The match continued to be a see saw affair as each side tried to get the upper hand, Strathmore looked happy to soak in the big hits then run the KCB defense all over. This approach led to the first try of the game from Brian Okwomi, after the students launched a counter attack from a KCB clearance, the match would go into the break at 8-3.
KCB started the second half with a new urgency as they brought on Dennis Mwanja for John Ahenda, the sub shaking up the fading KCB forwards department. KCB immediately camped in the Strath 22 and would for some time even as Andola almost single handedly (bootedly) bailed out the XXVII crew. KCB were caught out by a quick counter by the leos which forced them into an infringement, Ken Andola slotting the resulting penalty to stretch their lead to 11-3. KCB came out roaring, banging everything and anything that was ahead of their path to the try line courtesy of Andrew Amonde and Dennis Mwanja. The leos had to barge as they conceded a try by Andrew Amonde which was successfully converted to bring the scores to 11-10. KCB would again go on the prowl, this time Peter ‘Matricks’ Mutai sold a dummy which was bought wholly by the Strath defence as he went on a 30 or so metre dash before he decided to chip the ball as he did not spot his oncoming support. The ball went dead from the chip as Strathmore banked on their luck, KCB would pick it up from where they left but this time they were caught out once again on the break, strath winning a penalty, Andola stepping up to make it 14-10 to the Leos. As the game came to a close KCB went all out for the try that would surely win them the game, but strath were resilient in defence. The bankers were to lose their star player Andrew ‘Arms’ Amonde to leg injury, Strath would win one more penalty and you know who to make the scores 17-10 and call time on the game.
It was a tight match in which Strath’s tactical superiority won them the game, they knew that they were going take a physical beating from the bankers and they were ready to take it in and hit them on the counter. They were very effective in their rucks owing to their very mobile forward line which had, at one point of the first half dominated KCB at the scrum. KCB were tactically inept through out the game and a bit too one dimenssional in their play as kept on playing into the hands of Strath. If they are to win this league they will have to adapt to different types of play according to their opponents as they have been far too predictable this far.
My man of the match goes for the second time to two people, one for his brain and tact and the other for his sheer power…Ken Andola for Strathmore who amassed a total of 12 points on the day taking his total for the season to 77 the most by any player this season and Andrew ‘Arms’ Amonde who took no prisoners running over a strath player or two, depending on his momentum every time he had the ball in hand. We wish him a quick recovery… Worth mentioning are Brian Okwomi, Mike Wanjala and Tony Mutai for Strath and Collins Kimani who played at 10 for KCB, Oliver Mugendi and Dennis Mwanja whose impact was felt immediately he came on.
In other news, Strathmore will take on Quins at the RFUEA tomorrow yes Wednesday in the first of their double header, as they play again this weekend to compensate for the missed fixture due to the University games late last year. I expect a highly technical and tactical game from the two as they try to outwit each other over the two games. These two have displayed equal amounts of the said qualities over the season and it will be interesting to see who will carry the day(s). These two matches will play a pivotal role in this season’s title race, whoever manages to do the double will surely be the champion in waiting baring any meltdowns by the same.
The Kenya harlequins held their election on Sunday and here are the new faces at the helm of the lunch bars :
Chairman: Edward Kinyany
Secretary: Chris Kibe
Treasurer: Mike Mbaya.
Chairman: Edward Kinyany
Secretary: Chris Kibe
Treasurer: Mike Mbaya.
The Bamburi Rugby Super Series (BRSS) which will be officially launched tomorrow has been slated to take place from the 21st of April to the 19th of May. Pool matches to be played between the 21st of April to the 5th of May, The Semis on the 12th and the final on the 19th of May. The tournament retains the same structure and format as last year, with 8 franchises, 6 from Kenya and 2 from Uganda, Tanzania will constitute one of the Kenyan franchises (Coastal Bulls). Otherwise the core composition of the franchises remain the same only this time there are tier 2 teams included, which are teams outside the Kenya cup. The franchises should have at least one player from the Tier 2 teams in their final 30. Here are the franchises:
UGANDA :
1.Rwenzori
(Kobs,pirates, Rhinos, Nile)
2.Victoria
(Buffaloes, Entebbe Mongers, Impis, Heathens)
KENYA
1.BUFFALOES
Tier 1
Kisumu, Western Bulls
Tier 2
Bungoma, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii, Maseno, Masinde Muliro, Moi University, Siaya, Webuye,
2. COASTAL BULLS
Tier 1
Mombasa, Tanzania
Tier 2
JKUAT Voi, Mombasa Poly, Pwani University, Shepherds, Spartans
3. CHEETAHS
Tier 1
Impala, Nondies, Homeboyz
Tier 2
Comras, Multi-Media University,
4. LIONS
Tier 1
KCB, Mwamba
Tier 2
KEMU, Kimathi, Thika, Oryx
5. RHINOS
Tier 1
Quins, Nakuru
Tier 2
Egerton, Kabarak,
6. SHARKS
Tier 1
Mean Machine, Strathmore
Tier 2
Blak Blad, Catholic, Daystar, JKUAT, KCA, Kenya Poly, Nazarene, USIU
Hehehe there’s a team in UG called Mongers lol, In other, other news..what happened to Kulabu playing at nyayo?
With that ladies and gents…..dont forget to stand and sing the national anthem later today… (1pm)
KWISHA!!!!
