Impala and Nondies claimed narrow victories against their fancied opponents to book spots in the Enterprise Cup semi-finals slated for next week. KCB and Nakuru had easier routes to the same, in a weekend that saw the defending champions fall by the way side.
It was sweet revenge for Impala as they saw off the defending champions, Mwamba 18-16 at the UoN grounds. The red shirts lost heavily to the same opponents last year and will be proud of their performance here, for their troubles they earn a home semi-final against KCB. Heartbreak for the black shirts, as their title defence goes up in smoke.
At the Jamuhuri grounds, Nondies beat Strathmore 23-18 at the death through a Calvins Biko try to book a berth at the NAC against Nakuru RFC in the semi-finals. Nakuru’s path was much easier, turning on the after burners in the second half after leading 13-10 at the break to make it 35-10 at the full time whistle.
At the Lion’s den in Ruaraka, the rains that had pounded the city had their effect on the underfoot conditions but did little to dampen a charged lions side. Despite finding themselves 3-0 behind in the opening exchanges against the Kenya Harlequins, a Peter Mutai penalty and conversion from Ian Indimuli’s try saw them lead 10-3 before the clock hit 15 minutes.
The Lions were in cruise control from this point on, Mutai going over and converting to stretch his side’s lead to 17-3. Kevin Keegan would put his side’s final points on the board from his second penalty to take the score to 17-6 at the half time break.
The Lions would turn the screw further in the second half, with Ian grabbing his brace in the opening stages of the second half to make it 22-6. Quins would try getting back into the game as they put together some good phases, they however fell short on every occasion. The hosts would find themselves down to 14 men in two different periods after Steve Wakaya and Maurice Mbai were sent to the bin.
KCB would weather this timid storm with some great defending. When they were back to their full complement, it was former Quins winger Allan Omuka who piled the misery on his former side with a try at the corner to make it 29-6 after Essau Otieno put in the extras.
The ever explosive Dennis ‘Iron Man’ Mwanja who came on as a second half substitute barged over to wrap up a great result for his side with the final score reading 36-6. It was an all-round great showing from the lions against a Quins side that has seen better days. KCB will now make the short trip to the Impala grounds for their semi-final. Quins will now start getting ready for the Kenya Cup semi final against the same opponent in 2 months.
In the Mwamba Cup, division 1 defending champions KCB II battled to a 21-15 win against a resolute Blad II side at the Lion’s den. This win set up a quarter final berth against Nakuru II at the same venue, Nakuru II beat Egerton 39-5 at the NAC. There were wins for Daystar, Western Bulls II, Strathmore II, Eldoret and Catholic.
The 2nd division, USIU beat defending champions JKUAT 32-0, with TUK edging Masaku 25-19. Impala III, TUM, Kakamega, Shieywe, Masinde Muliro and UoE also booked their places in next weekend’s quarter finals.
Collated Results:
Mwamba 16-18 Impala
KCB 36-6 Quins
Nakuru 35-10 Homeboyz
Nondescripts 23-18 Strathmore
Mwamba Cup
KCB II 21-15 Blak Blad II
Egerton 5-39 Nakuru II
Quins II 15-20 Nondies II
Daystar 8-0 Thika
Impala II 17-32 Western Bulls II
Mwamba II 38-8 Strathmore II
Eldoret 24-0 NYTA
Catholic 10-15 Machine II
Mwamba Cup Div II
JKUAT 0-32 USIU
Masaku 19-25 TUK
TUM 22-17 Spartans
Stormers 21-34 Impala III
Webuye 0-24 Kakamega
Moi Uni 9-34 Shieywe RFC
Masinde Muliro 24-0 Bungoma
Uni of Eldoret 24-0 Kericho
