It was a story of two halves as a 30 man Tusker Simba squad fell 32-28 to a young DHL Western Province side at the RFUEA grounds.
The hosts who used this fixture as preparation for the upcoming world cup qualifiers and utilised the full 31 man squad on the day, in an effort to find the best combinations. Most of that 31 got a good forty minutes to show what they can do. The fans got a glimpse of what the side is capable of, and though the result didn’t go our way it was a great show.
The side that started the first half was made up largely of the guys who took part in the Vodacom cup. Duncan Mwangi, Curtis Lilako and Isaac Nyariki at the front row, Ronnie Mwenesi and Emmanuel Mavala at lock, Brain Nyikuli, Tony Owuor and Davis Chenge at the back row.
Michael Wanjala started at scrum half, with Ken Andola at fly half, Nick Barasa partnered Fabian Olando in mid field. Tony Onyango, Billy Odhiambo and Leornard Mugaisi making up the back three.
It was the visitors who took the early lead, the exciting Robert du Preez kicking over a penalty. The Simbas reply was almost immediate as they flourished in open play, Brian Nyikuli would go over in the side’s first visit in WP territory. Andola’s conversion making it 10-3.
Western Province were growing in their dominance, especially at the scrum, Robert Du Preez at fly half was in the middle of everything good from the side. Winger Chevander Van Schoor would hand the South Africans a one point lead at 8-7.
They would stretch their lead further through outside center Pat Howard after a sweeping move, to take the score to 15-7 after a successful conversion. The Tusker Simba spurred into action, substitute Martin Owilla would score off a rolling maul, Andola converting to make it a one point game at 15-14.
The Simbas were now settling into the match, putting together some great plays. A great move from the backs saw Mugaisi stopped just short of the line. They would however shoot themselves in the leg with the last play of the half. A miscommunication in a line out inside their 22, saw Sti Sithole gather the ball to score and make it 20-14 at the breather.
The first side had managed to keep in touch with the Province, with Fabian Olando, Ken Andola, Leornard Mugaisi, Brian Nyikuli, Curtis Lilako the stand out performers.
The second half saw wholesale changes as the squad now featured, Moses Amusala, Sammy Warui and James Kangethe in the front row, Wilson Kopondo and Oliver Mang’eni at lock. Andrew Amonde and Mike Okombe joined Martin Owilla in the back row.
Lyle Asiligwa and Lavin Asego forming the half back combination, Patrice Agunda and Humphrey Kayange at center with Collins Injera, Mike Agevi and Willie Ambaka completing the back three.
This side wasted no time in showing their pedigree, especially at the backs. It was however the trio of Wilson Kopondo, Andrew Amonde and Martin Owilla that caused all sorts of trouble in the opening exchanges.
It didn’t take long before the new simbas took the lead, a brilliant move saw Lavin Asego release Collins Injera who side stepped the full back to score under the posts. Lyle Asiligwa converted for a 21-20 lead.
The side grew from strength to strength, dominating possession, they were however still struggling at the scrums with the line outs also suffering. That still did not prevent them from stretching further ahead, Lavin Asego once again the author, placing a sumptuous chip just behind the on rushing WP defence. Patrice Agunda gathering to score, Lyle Asiligwa scoring the extras to make it 28-20.
With 10 minutes to play, hooker Stephan Coetzee would go over to make it a tense final minutes, with the score reading 28-25. Another lapse in concentration in the closing minute saw Lungelo Chonco go over, with Robert Du Preez converting with the final kick of the game, to make it 32-28.
A tale of two halves, the first team going down 20-14 with the second winning 14-12, collectively though they both fell short. Many would call this a failure, as we all expected the best of Kenya rugby to run rings around this young WP side.
The Western Province had the momentum on their side, if perhaps we had played with largely the same side we would have seen a much better result. But remember the whole essence of this match.
Both sides suffered at scrum time, and the line outs were disjointed, on the positive both were great in defence and exciting going forward, both set of backs put in great displays.
The technical bench will have a hard time settling for the squad that will travel to Madagascar. With the likes of Joshua Chisanga, Max Adaka, Joseph Kangethe, Jacob Ojee and others still in the training squad.
However my 15 from the weekend will be as follows :
1. Moses Amusala – The big prop, probably edged out his team mate Duncan Mwangi, though both did come under heavy pressure from the WP scrum.
2. Curtis Lilako – The two hookers had an afternoon to forget at line outs. Though the two were not fully at fault, their jumpers will also take the fall. Lilako edged Warui in attack.
3. James Kangethe – One half of the Kangethe twins, WP kept close tabs on him over the second forty, but his impact was still felt.
4. Oliver Mang’eni – The lanky forward was as always immense at the line out, he caused the WP set piece great trouble.
5. Wilson K’opondo – the captain, great ball carrier, was relentless in attack as in defence.
6. Mike Okombe – his work rate is always a sight to behold, a true blind side flanker. Relishes the dirty work and packs a crunching tackle.
7. Andrew Amonde – The sevens captain, as solid as ever, his contribution going forward was immense, he flourishes in this position where he has the license to roam.
8. Martin Owilla – His mate Tony Owuor was not unlucky not to have finished the first 40 minutes, as he was pulled out as a precaution. Owilla though had a good 60 minutes to impress, and managed to score, which always does a world of good.
9. Lyle Asiligwa – He was up against Mike Wanjala who is not a natural scrum half but did well on the day. Lyle however takes this one as his service was more fluid, his boot also came in handy.
10. Lavin Asego – The Master, after a long absence in the 15s side and indeed rugby. He came back and reminded us just how good he is. Ken Andola was also super in the first 40, he has added a flair to his play since the last time I saw him.
11. Collins Injera – The Chuchu train showed us that it doesn’t matter what format he is playing. Place him in a rugby pitch and he’ll run round every one, his partnership with Lavin was sublime. Billy Odhiambo didn’t see as much ball in the first 40, but seemed to struggle to adjust to the 15s.
12. Patrice Agunda – He was great going forward and in defence, his ability at the high ball is still very much there. Patrice edged out Nick Baraza who also had a great 40 minutes, he however saw little of the ball but was immense in defence.
13. Fabian Olando – The man we call Rango had a belter of a game, so much so that he gets this nod ahead of the great Humphrey Kayange. Last time we played WP, Olando was guilty of some shaky defending, this time he left nothing to chance, even saving a try while at it. The Province utilised the channel between the 13 and touch line meaning that whoever played here had a bit of defending to do. Tall did this for the full 40 minutes and did not get as much going forward.
14. William Ambaka -didn’t see much of the ball, but whenever he had it, he left a few sore WP shoulders and bums. He edges Mugaisi by that simple explosive factor, otherwise these two are super wingers.
15. Tony Onyango -The two full backs were largely anonymous in the game, Tony however had a better outing that Agevi on the day.
That would be my XV from what we saw on Saturday, feel free to put yours below in the comments section.
KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!
