Another action packed weekend that was, so first let’s take a look at the scores from the different fixtures that took place.
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| Action at the N.A.C |
Kenya Cup :
Nondies 17 – 32 Quins
Strathmore 24 – 5 Machine
Mwamba 26 – 25 Impala
Homeboyz 50 – 10 Kisumu
Nakuru 8 – 3 KCB
ESS :
Nondies II 9 – 9 Quins II
Strathmore II 8 – 7 Machine II
Mwamba II 37 – 18 Impala II
Nakuru II 11 – 12 KCB II
Homeboyz II 13 – 15 Western Bulls
We start at the Jamuhuri grounds where the Lunch bars kept their title defence going as they made easy meat of their hosts Nondies. The lunch bars charged to a 24-0 lead at the half, then held off a Nondies resurgence early in the second half before finally seeing off the game at 32-17. The victory sees the defending champions keep their grip on the top of the table with 49 points. The white shirts remain perched at 8th on 23 points.
To the other derby of the day, this one at the Impala grounds, where Strathmore managed to avenge their first leg defeat against Machine.This win takes the lads from the good university to third, keeping their title ambitions alive, though just, as they have played a game more than all of their title opponents. Eschuma remain 7th despite that loss, they will rue their luck as one of the tries came after they miss understood a penalty call for a try by the ref.
At the RFUEA Mwamba had to come back several times in an another tight and exciting match against Impala. If you remember the last time these two met, it was a very tight affair this one was no different. Impala were quicker off the blocks leading 10-0 via a converted try early on by Kevin ‘Hawk’ Umbuge, Mose with the conversion and a quick drop goal from Ochola. Mwamba would reduce the deficit to 10-5 through the chu chu train that is Collins Injera. Impala would extend their lead to 17-5, Kiki with the try Mose again with the conversion. Kulabu successfully kicked over two penalties to take the game to 17-11 at the break.Kulabu would bring the game to within a point with a try upon resumption, 17-16 then taking the lead via another unconverted try to make it 17-21.Impala this time chasing the game, would kick in a penalty to take it to 20-21, before the chu chu train hit them again to make it 26-20. Impala failed to convert their last try and thus losing this one by a point, guess in this case what goes around does actually come back, hehe. Kulabu remain 5th but just a point adrift of 4th, they still have a shot at the title but find themselves in the same situation as Strathmore having played a game more than the other title contenders. Impala’s dismal run continues as they remain 6th, though they can take this game’s performance as a solid improvement.
At the Lion’s den, Homeboyz registered a rare victory, this one over fellow strugglers Kisumu.This resounding victory by the Djs finally took them out of the base of the league and relegating the kondele boys to the same. It was a display of free flowing rugby by the Homeboyz as they ran their visitors rugged on their way to completing the double over the lake side team. As mentioned earlier the Homeboyz move to 9th, am hoping that this result will propel the Djs outfit further up the table and end the season on a strong note. As for the kondele boys, its yet another big defeat they must be hard to swallow but must be taken as lessons. I remember Strathmore underwent a similar baptism on their debut season in the Kenya Cup, look at them right now.
To the rift valley town of Nakuru where my feature match took place, it was second placed Nakuru rfc hosting third placed KCB going into the game. KCB were looking to end the host’s 100% home record, and probably go top depending on the Quins fixture. The wanyore on the other hand were looking to keep this record intact and also had top spot within reach. KCB wasted no time, making it into the nakuru 22 early on and winning a penalty after an infringement at the ruck, the KCB 10 driving it wide. This play would wake up the wanyore as they put together several phases to take them inside KCB territory, the lions doing well to defend. Nakuru would then win a penalty off this phase of play but they would also miss the kick. KCB would get back into the game again setting camp inside the wanyore 22, they would again win a penalty and again sail it wide, Darwin Mukidza the culprit this time. KCB would not relent as they put together a decent amount of phases to take them within striking distance, yet agin the pressure would result into a penalty in their favour, it was third time lucky as Fabian Olando finally put points on the board, 3-0 to KCB. Nakuru picked themselves up and take the game to their visitors, this they would do just at the end of the first half with an unconverted try to make it 5-3 at half time.
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| The Motm in action! |
The second half would start just like the first, with KCB asking all the questions and in similar fashion they won a penalty which they decided to go for the points but again missing. The lions would continue probing, limiting their hosts to minimal possession, but they could not manage to get anything onto the score board. The wanyore in a rare foray into the KCB territory would win two penalties in quick succession but would stick to the theme of the day, missing. KCB would take over the attacking proceedings from this point as we approached the half way mark in the second half, it was all lions from here. The wanyore defending their line resolutely and thoroughly through out this period.The game was basically played inside the Nakuru 22 metre line for this period, KCB again and again hitting the brick wall that was the Wanyore.The frustrations were getting the better of the lions as they lost possession on several occasions but none more crucial than the last, with the clock indicating that time was up. Nakuru would opt to keep the ball in play, hitting the lions on the counter and winning a penalty deep inside KCB territory. This time they made no mistake with the final play of the game to end it at 8-3.
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| This was the defence I was talking about. |
It is said that a great defence wins you titles, well the defensive showing that the Wanyore showed here would have won them anything under this sun. They were absolutely flawless in their tackles, rucks and even found a way of defending against the KCB mauls.KCB will rue their numerous missed chances especially from their kicks and maybe from areas where they would have been a bit more patient. Speaking to some of the wanyore fans after the game, they all admitted that this was their toughest game to date and they were damn proud of the team, well they better be! my man of the match goes to that Mnyore called Nick Lango, he marshaled his forces greatly and was in the middle of every play. KCB’s Leslie Mango is worth the mention as he was instrumental in the KCB attack.
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| Leslie Mango in action! |
With the above result Nakuru remain in touch the leaders in second, KCB drop to fourth though still with a shot at the title, they earn a point for losing with less than seven points.
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| Nakuru concede a penalty among protests. |
So the league table looks like this at the end of game week 14 :
1. Kenya Harlequins – 49
2. Nakuru – 46
3. Strathmore – 42
4. KCB – 41
5. Mwamba – 40
6. Impala – 29
7. Machine – 24
8. Nondies – 23
9. Homeboyz – 15
10. Kisumu – 12
With 5 games to go for most of the clubs, Mwamba and Strathmore have 4 while Machine and Homeboyz have 6, it is clearly crunch time. Expect tighter scores as every side looks to finish with a kick especially from the teams that are in the lower half of the table. Though I frankly don’t see how the score we have been seeing could be any tighter.
The national league semi final pairings are out and will be played on a home and away basis as follows :
17th March 2012
Eldoret rfc vs Blakblad
Masinde Nuliro vs USIU
24th March 2012
Blakblad vs Eldoret rfc
USIU vs Masinde Muliro
The final will be played on the 31st of March presumably at the RFUEA.
In other news, the sevens squad should be traveling to Hong kong this week thus we should have the squad out any time. Meanwhile long serving Impala chairman Peter ‘Pedro’ Nduati retired from the post at the weekend and leaves the chair to Geoffrey Oduor Gangla ‘Gangi’. He leavesPeter to “pursue other rugby interests” which he said will become obvious in short and also just to “watch rugby”. Which should loosely translate to, “he is gunning for a post at the forth coming union elections”.
With that ladies and gentlemen…allow me to exit stage left……
KWISHA!!!
