The Cubs of KCB claimed their fourth ESS title after a six year hiatus, having last won the second division title in 2008. The Cubs were however made to work by a Nakuru II side that stretched them into extra time.
The cubs found themselves trailing in the opening 10 minutes of the game, after Cliff Amoko went over for Nakuru II with Geoff Ominde converting for a 7-0 lead. The cubs would jump into action but failing to make an impact on the score board.
Marlin Mukolwe’s scuffed an attempt from a penalty wide, then Collins Wanjala’s try was disallowed in the space of ten minutes. The Cubs would continue piling the pressure on their opponents as the half wore on. There was no denying Collins Wanjala this time as the marauding winger barging over to cut the deficit to two points with half time fast approaching.
The sides would go into the breather with Nakuru II leading 7-5. The leaders had managed to absorb the pressure from the cubs, and managing to give them a thing or two to think about. The cubs on their part were guilty of letting some guilt edged chances slide but would have been happy with their dominance, with forty minutes ahead to change the score.
The sides started off slowly in the second half, with Nakuru II seemingly happy to play without the ball and defend their lead. It was however a matter of time before the cubs were on the score board again, this time Hastings Nyariki at the back of a rolling Maul to give the cubs a three point lead at 10-7.
Nakuru II did not bulge after this score, taking the game to the cubs with only 20 minutes left on the clock. The cubs would however weather the storm and pin Nakuru II in their half. Now boosted by the introduction of Peter Waitere, John Ahenda and Steven Matioli the cubs looked to be on the verge of another score to kill off the game.
They however wasted several chances, especially from the line out, the frustration was starting to get to them. Nakuru II with their first sniff at the cubs’ territory would earn a penalty, from which they would tie the game at 10 all.
That score heading into the last 10 minutes of the match, would prove to be a table turner as Nakuru II sparked into life. The side probed the cubs defence and were unlucky not to have killed of the game as time ticked away and the final whistle sounded to see the sides go into extra time.
The cubs came into the first half of extra time a renewed force, the opening exchanges saw them win a penalty a little over 30 meters out on the left. Steve Matioli would do well to slot it in and give his side a three point lead at 13-10. The sides would go into the breather with the Cubs ahead.
Nakuru II were seemingly out of steam, as the cubs kept pounding at their lines, Steve Oluoch would stretch the cubs lead, breaking away from a maul to sprint 20 meters and touch down. The resulting conversion went wide to make the scores 18-10, a late Steve Matioli penalty sealed the 21-10 result and see the cubs crowned ESS champions.
It was an enthralling final, one that thoroughly repaid all those who arrived early at the RFUEA. The Cubs’ captain Marlin Mukolwe duly picked up the man of the match accolade after what was a super performance by the scrum half.
Nakuru II will be proud of their performance here, and their ascendancy in this division, that almost mirrors their senior side. Nakuru II was struggling to make it into the top six just two seasons ago.
This Cubs side is the toast of KCB rugby at the moment, they have proved to be peerless in this division, this their second triumph in the second division after winning the Mwamba Cup last month. If the club can hold on to this side, they will definitely run things in the top flight in a few years to come.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!