The 33rd edition of the Impala Floodies enters its semi final stage at the weekend with some exciting fixtures lined up from 11:30 am at the Impala Club
Schools
Defending Schools champions Ofafa Jericho will be facing one of last year’s losing semi finalists Makini in the 2:30 pm kick off. Ofafa kicked off their title defence in brilliant form, dislodging MFA 27-6. Makini were also in impressive form as they saw off Dagoretti High School 26-15.
The first schools semi final set to kick of at lunch time will see Floodies first timers Laiser Hill take on last year’s losing finalists Alliance High School. Laiser Hill are currently the it side in schools rugby, earning this semi final spot after seeing off the Wazimba of Mangu 22-0.
Alliance will have their work cut out for them as they come up against the current Prescott champions, Bush made this date after edging out Lenana’s Mean Maroon 15-8.
Laiser Hill vs Alliance – 1:00 pm
Ofafa vs Makini – 2:30 pm
Universities
2012 champions USIU will kick off proceedings against the in form Catholic Monks for a chance to play in the grand final next weekend. USIU earned this ticket after beating the Daystar Falcons 27-3, the Thika road side were eliminated at the same stage last year and will be looking to avoid a repeat this time round.
The Monks will definitely be the fresher of the two sides, as they are yet to pick up a ball at this year’s floodies after their opponents in the quarter finals, MKU failed to show up.
The other semi final in this category will see defending champions Blak Blad take on the Cougars of JKUAT. Both sides were impressive in the opening weekend, Blad beating TUK 46-10 with JKUAT 32-3 winners over Machine II.
USIU vs Catholic Monks – 11:30 am
Blak Blad vs JKUAT – 3:30 pm
Clubs
The Clubs semi final line up offers the perfect set of matches, from the David vs Goliath to the clash of the titans.
Mean Machine vs Quins
Mean Machine once again turned on their Floodies mojo last weekend when they edged out two time finalists Nondies 11-3. The Eschuma will be looking to keep their charms alive when they take on Quins.
Both sides made this semi final against the odds, not many expected Quins to beat the star studded Mwamba in the quarter finals. The quartered shirts however played an intelligent game nullifying Kulabu’s physical approach to register that 30-13 result.
Machine, now under the tutelage of former Kenya international Paul Oketch will be looking to borrow a leaf from the Quins book, with the Quin expected to make their physical advantage count here.
These two have had an illustrious history over the years, but with the turn in fortunes for Machine recently Quins have enjoyed the upper hand. The quartered shirts were 31-5 winners when these two last met in the Kenya Cup. Eschuma will however point out the 17 all draw in the 2012/13 season.
The likes of Kevin Gacheru, Kevin Njugi, Daniel Mubea, Paul Muikia, Stanley Lunani and Elphas Manya will be vital to the Machine if they are to pull out another upset this year.
As mentioned earlier, Quins will be wary not to fall into the same trap they set for Kulabu, they’ll need to keep their balance and not under estimate their opposite numbers. With the Likes of Patrice Agunda, Dennis Muhanji, Kevin Keegan, Jared Owinyo and Edwin Aseko in their ranks they should have enough to steady the ship when necessary.
KCB vs Nakuru
This will be the match that everyone will be waiting for, most already terming it as the final before the final.
These two have shared a healthy rivalry over the years. That rivalry escalating as Nakuru’s star kept raising, the Wanyore have had the upper hand over the last two years, most recently beating the Lions in the Kenya Cup and Enterprise cup finals.
Defending Floodies Champions KCB will be looking to earn sweet revenge for those two losses early in the season and settle any psychological wounds they had suffered. Nakuru on their part will be out to once again shutter the Lion’s roar as they look for their first Floodies title.
These two booked their tickets in contrasting fashion with Nakuru dominating Homeboyz on their way to claiming a 30-8 result. KCB on their part had to dig in deep to overturn an 11 point deficit at the break to post a 25-19 result against Impala.
There’s little that can be said about these two that hasn’t already been said, it is no secret that it is going to be a brutal battle in the forwards. Nakuru have recalled Philip Kwame to their line up and will be without Colin Were who was red carded in the victory over Homeboyz.
The Lions will be without Philip Wamae who suffered a concussion last weekend but should be able to call upon Max Adaka in his place. Apart from that both sides should remain as was in the quarter finals.
The match ups across the field will be interesting, under 19 sensation Billy Isabwa of KCB will come up against his former mates in Allan Odiyo at fly half. As the experienced Felix Wanjala of KCB is set to duel with Victor Shigholi. The front row trio of Joseph Odero, Lucas Atito and Joseph Maina of Nakuru will face the KCB trio of Moses Amusala, Peter Karia and Curtis Lilako.
The scrums will be a vital platform as always is in a rugby game, Nakuru have had the upper hand in this department but as we say last weekend KCB seem to have tightened up in this department. I will be waiting to see how the first scrum in the match and how this battle progresses.
The backs often take a back seat in this match up but have always had an impact with the likes of Kevin Omiyo in the Nakuru back line and Allan Omuka in the opposite end there’s bound to be some heavy hits in the 80 minutes or more.
Machine vs Quins – 6:00 pm
KCB vs Nakuru – 7:30 pm
KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!
