KCB Back To Back Champions At The Great Rift

KCB picked up their second successive great rift ten a side title at the weekend after battling to a 18-15 sudden death win over Strathmore.

The back to back great rift champions (Photo : James Wahome)
The back to back great rift champions (Photo : James Wahome)

The Lions had before that final breezed through Day 1 action to top the standings and set up a quarter final encounter against Western Bulls. At the close of Day one, KCB were among five sides tipped to go all the way to lift the 2014 title. The others were Nakuru, Strathmore, Homeboyz and Impala.

In the first quarter final, KCB were stretched by a tough tackling and highly organised Bulls side before edging them out 10-7 in sudden death, courtesy of a Ken Moseti drop goal.

KCB’s experience made the difference, especially on Day 2 where there was very little to pick between the top eight sides. The second quarter final saw Machine get past Quins 8-0 to set up a semi final against the Lions in a replay of last year’s final.

The third quarter final saw Strathmore knock out the hosts Nakuru RFC 12-10, a result that many hope they will be able to repeat on 10th May. The best was definitely saved for last in the cup quarter final round.

Homeboyz took on Impala in the last quarter final and with the scores tied at 12 all at the end of regular time the sides played sudden death. The two missed some gilt edged chances to break the dead lock from penalties, each missing two from the boot.

At the end of the sudden death period there was still nothing between the sides meaning they now played in a drop goal contest. Five players from each side stepped up to take drop goals. The first round ended with the sides tied at 3 all, before Impala missed their sixth kick and the djs sinking their’s to book a semi final berth.

The semi finals were a bit more straight forward with KCB edging past Machine 5-0 with Strathmore claiming a rare 12-10 win over Homeboyz to set up the final.

There was very little to pick between the finalists as they traded blows over the twenty minutes. KCB held the slight upper hand in terms of possession with Strathmore flourishing on the counter attack off their impressive defence.

Essau Otieno in action in the final. (Photo : James Wahome)
Essau Otieno in action in the final. (Photo : James Wahome)

The sides were tied at 15 all at the end of regular time, and most saw another drop goal contest coming up. KCB held onto the ball curving out the Strathmore defence patiently, a line break by Jacob Ojee resulted in a penalty within striking range. Ken Moseti stepped up like he did in the quarter final to slot in the kick to hand his side their second successive title at the great rift.

In the Plate Category, hosts Nakuru made amends for their cup exit by lifting the plate title after beating Western Bulls 14-0 in the final. The two making it to this final after knocking out Ngong road neighbours Quins and Impala in contrasting fashion.

The Echulusi powering past Quins 19-7 in the first semi final, the hosts lucky to get a 7-0 result against Impala.

In the Bowl, a well oiled Kabras side compounded Mwamba’s woes over the two days by beating them 10-0 in the final. Kabras had walloped Egerton 33-0 to make this final, Mwamba just getting past Catholic University 7-0 in the other semi final.

Kabras were unlucky not to be in the cup competition after day 1, having stretched their opponents in the Pool just failing to get the right results.

Masaku were crowned Shield winners after beating Thika RFC 26-0, Kilunda had beaten Eldoret 26-0 in the semi final with Thika just getting past KCA 12-5. A KCA side that had been hard done by the law on day 1, the side saw their 10-5 win against Mwamba overturned into a 14-0 defeat for fielding an ineligible player.

Nakuru II dominated the second division, eventually winning the main title after beating KEMU 19-0. The division initially started with 8 sides but had to be extended to 12 after sides that weren’t initially in the draw showed up. It was commendable for the organisers to slot the sides in.

On the individual front, Steve Lunani of Mean Machine picked up the most promising player, with Ken Moseti of KCB crowned the Most valuable player.

It was a great three days of 10’s rugby, the main competition did not disappoint with sides fielding their best squads just showing how important the sides take this tournament. The school’s and age grade category were the feather in the tournament’s cap.

The secondary school category was won by Kakamega High school who beat New Dawn 14-12. Arise winning the U-15 category 5-0 against New Life. The edition of the vets touch tournament was won by RPF, who beat the hosts in the final.

A big congratulations to the organisers, for delivering yet another great edition of the great rift ten a side, can’t wait for the next one.

KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!

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Poghie

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