The identity of the eight sides that will be doing battle at the Kasarani stadium for the four league titles was finally revealed. The list of 8 includes some familiar names, names that have had past glories and several first timers.
In the Chairman’s league, it will be the Monks of Catholic university taking on the Falcons of Daystar University. The Monks got their ticket to the final after beating Thika RFC 21-15, Daystar on their part had a tough time against the Comras, eventually sneaking away with a 29-25 win. Heart break for the Comras who came so close to making it the perfect debut season, but they can take a lot of pride from the performance either way.
Chairman’s League
Catholic University 21-15 Thika RFC
Daystar University 29-25 Comras
In the Nationwide, the classic battle of the East and West will see another installment played out here as Eldoret take on Egerton University. Eldoret romped into the final courtesy of a 40-8 win over Kakamega II with the Egerton wasps upsetting pre match favourites Mombasa SC stinging them 11-0.
Another debutant team in Kakamega II fails to make it to the final after what has been an impressive season, but just like the Comras, Kakamega II can also be proud of their season’s display. The news here though is the failure of high flying Mombasa in reaching the final, after what was their first defeat of the season to Egerton.
Nationwide League
Eldoret 40-8 Kakamega II
Mombasa SC 0-11 Egerton University
The ESS sees the two sides that have dominated this league in the recent past clash for this year’s honours, The Arturos of Quins up against the Cubs of KCB.
Quins II made an easy meal of the semi final opponents the Catulus beating them 33-5 at the RFUEA. KCB II had a much harder time against the boks of Impala fighting off a second half comeback to eventually see them off 19-15 at the den.
ESS
Quins II 33-5 Strathmore II
KCB II 19-15 Impala II
The top flight Kenya cup will definitely crown a first time Champion next weekend as Strathmore take on Nakuru in the final.
Strathmore booked their date under the Kasarani floodlights courtesy of a 18-15 win over Mwamba at the Impala grounds. Mwamba were quickest off the blocks, taking a 3-0 lead through a Lavin Asego drop goal. The Leos however took the lead through a Billy Odhiambo try and Githaiga conversion to make it 7-3, a Marvin Sumba penalty saw Strathmore’s lead stretch to 7 points at 10-3. Kulabu however struck before the half through a converted Joseph Oriwo try to level the scores at 10 all at the break.
Adrian Opondo’s try saw Strath retake the lead at 15-10, a Githaiga penalty taking the score to 18-10 before Mwamba looked to replicate their first half comeback through a Patrick Oduong try but it was not to be for the black shirts as it ended 18-15.
Mwamba’s seemingly endless wait for their second Kenya cup title keeps going, this season though they have come closer than they have in the last 5 seasons showing that they have improved. Coach Meli Tuni Wainibuli mentioned that they are in a 5 year development program and didn’t expect to get this far, this early in the plan. Goes to show the potential in this side and if they can hold on to these players, then that wait may be over very soon. They have a chance to close the season in 3rdif they beat KCB next weekend.
Strathmore’s cycle is now complete or almost is, from the league’s whooping boys to finalists, all in the space of 4 seasons. The Leo’s story is one of pure will, determination and hard work, they have the opportunity to give that story a fairytale ending this Saturday.
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| KCB set up a maul.. (Photo courtesy of Irene Maingi) |
The other semi final saw Nakuru bury KCB in a period of 20 minutes in the first half. After what was a promising start to the game from the lions putting together several quick phases at the forwards. The visitors looked to run their opponents, setting up quick rucks to stretch their opponents, in this period KCB were camped at the Nakuru half. The Wanyore weathered this storm of attack, managing to keep the Lions at bay before they turned up the heat on them. KCB’s frailties in the scrum from last time were clearly not solved as Nakuru kept their dominance from the first scrum. Nakuru suddenly exploding into the game, Silas Ekongo going over for Nakuru with Martin Muita converting to make it 7-0. Before KCB could regroup they were 14-0 down courtesy of a Edwin Makori, after the KCB back line was caught napping. Godfrey Mbea all but won the game for his side, stepping through the now dazed KCB defence to score, Muita making it 21-0 from his conversion.
The Lions started inching back into the game, Max Adaka scoring from a maul with Darwin Mukidza converting to make it 21-7 at the break.
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| (Photo courtesy of Irene Maingi) |
In the second half like any good team would have done, Nakuru just held onto the ball dictating play and ensuring their opponents don’t get a sniff at a come back. This Nakuru did excellently, KCB were reduced to few sights of the Nakuru half. This half lacked the bursts seen in the first, with the Lions coming to life in the closing 10 minutes though they were denied what was a clear try by Ken Isindu during that period, there was no way back and thus it ended 21-7.
KCB’s challenge for the cup comes to a disappointing end after they started the season with so much promise. It is another season of being so close yet so far, you could see that they ran out of the steam they had built up in the opening stages of the season when it mattered. It has been a trait that they have unfortunately possessed since their last triumph in 2007, the lack of that final kick..that last umph! They now play for third place against Mwamba looking to salvage something from what will go down as another promising season.
Nakuru on the other hand have a date with destiny on the 23rd, they have never come this close to the Kenya Cup in their history. They have the opportunity to crown what has been a 4 year transformation from a mid table team to a rugby power house. They’ll probably go into this final as favourites after this semi final performance and their consistency over the 12 weeks.
With not much else happening around, have a great week ahead as we look forward and build up to the Championship weekend.
KWISHA…..Nimeruka Nje!!!
