The Top Fry Ndovu claimed their first BRSS title on Saturday, after beating Uganda’s Rwenzori 28-14 in the final played at the RFUEA grounds. Some of the Ndovu players had previously tasted Super series glory before under the former all conquering Rhinos franchise. The Ndovu franchise, made up of players from Nakuru RFC made a good account of themselves over the 5 weeks the tournament ran and deservedly came out top of the pile.
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| The 2013 BRSS Champions. |
Chairman’s Cup
Earlier, before that final, KCB claimed their second piece of silverware in the Chairman’s cup final after beating a spirited Mean Machine RFC 22-14. A brace of tries from KCB’s full back Jacob Ojee saw the green shirts get the better of the Eschuma in yet another final. It will be remembered that Machine fell to the same opponent in the Great Rift Ten Aside final.
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| The 2013 Chairman’s Cup Winners |
In other finals, Kenya Harlequins won the Plate category by the skin of their teeth, edging out Mwamba RFC 11-8, TUK claimed the Bowl after impressively seeing off Nondies 14-10 with Catholic University beating Multi Media University to the Shield title with a 20-3 score line.
KCB 22-14 Mean Machine
Quins 11-8 Mwamba
TUK 14-10 Nondies
CUEA 20-3 MMU
Super Series
The UAP Papa beat the ‘Ballore Nyumbu’ or the Nyumbulets, as they have been commonly referred to for the past two weeks-, 44-21 to claim the bronze. The Nyumbulets held their own against a largely second string Papa side, going into the break trailing respectably 14-24. The second half was a different ball game as Paul Odera unleashed eventual top points scorer Fabian Olando alongside Peter Mutai, Moses Omusala, Salaton Muturi and Max Adaka who proved too much for the disjointed Nyumbu side.
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| 3rd place finishers, UAP Papa. |
For a side that had just been assembled the other week with some additions this week, the Nyumbulets outdid themselves in this match. Most expected a bigger winning margin here. The Papa who had started as one of the favourites finished their campaign on a high after back to back losses to the original Nyumbu and the Ndovu saw their title hopes dashed. Their biggest undoing has been their conversion of territorial dominance and possession into points, with a more effective attack, next year could just be the one for the Papa.
The final pitted the Rwenzori and the Top Fry Ndovu for the second time in 3 weeks, their first encounter in Kampala ended in a comprehensive 33-10 win for the Ndovu. In that match, the Ndovu became the first Kenyan side in a long while to match and even beat a Ugandan side as far as forwards play went. All they needed to do is match that performance and claim the 2013 BRSS title.
It was a largely evenly matched battle in the forwards, with the sides trading takes at each scrum, the Ndovu however edged this one due to their superior back row. In fact this cup win was solely won by the Ndovu back row trio of Lawrence Buyachi, Michael Okombe and Dalmas Chituyi. These three were all over the players, on attack they were constantly running at the Rwenzori centres, that encounter usually had one end result.
These three complimented by the lock pairing of captain Edwin Makori and Philip Owour, who also operated like back rows were more than a handful for the Ssebos. The Ndovu backs under the guidance of Gibson Weru and Martin Muita were relentless in attack, running the defence all over the park.
The Rwenzori were guilty of being too one dimensional, against an equally bulky Ndovu pack their direct play got them nowhere. The visitors were starved of possession and when they did have it, they never were comfortable with relentless pressure from the Ndovu. A favour they failed to return as they gave their opponents such an easy time on the ball. The veteran Gamma Faisal added a new dimension to their play when he did come on, but it was a little too late for the visitors. The ever present Marvin Odong and export Scott Oluoch also made a mark on the game alongside full back Joseph Aredo.
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| The Rwenzori. |
That win sees the Ndovu cap what has been a phenomenal fifteens season for Nakuru rugby, adding the super series title to the Kenya Cup. Those titles have come courtesy of their tight five, the Wanyore have always been known for ruthless back rows but this season and indeed the last, they have added an equally formidable tight five in the fray. With these kinds of performances they are going to be running the 15’s scene for a while to come..
The diminutive Ndovu Fly half Martin Muita was handed the man of the tournament accolade and deservedly so, he also came in second in the top points scorer’s list. Also worth mentioning for exemplary performance over the 5 weeks are, Curtis Lilako of the Papa, Wilson Kopondo of Nyumbu original, Joshua Chisanga of Papa, Javan Murayi of Ndovu, Isaiah Nyariki of Ndovu just to mention a few.
With the Super series done and dusted, another season goes into the history books as focus now shifts to the national sides. The fifteens team is currently in South Africa for a 10 day training camp as they prepare to take on Uganda in the Elgon Cup (15th & 22nd June), then later head out for the CAR division 1A championships. The sevens side will be in Russia for the World Cup, with the U-19 side also in action later on in the year.
With that ladies and gentlemen, have a great week ahead……aaaaannnnddddddddd……
KWISHA, Nimeruka Nje!!!!
