Impala bagged the Ngong road bragging rights at the weekend with a deserved 33-22 win over the Kenya Harlequins at the RFUEA.
The match kicked off at a frantic pace with Impala quickly on the board through Hosea Ngesa, Oliech converting for a 7-0 lead inside the first five minutes.
Quins were quick in their response, Paul Abuto finally going over after coming close a few minutes earlier, Lyle adding the extras to tie the game at 7 all. At this point we had a real cracker in the offing.
The hosts were building momentum with Agunda and Muhanji at the centre of some great plays. Abuto would soon land his brace, finishing off a sweeping move, this time Lyle’s conversion sailed wide for a 12-7 score.
The Saracens seemed to fade away before that man Oliech rose highest to pick up an aerial ball, releasing Anthony Nyandigisi for the line. Oliech’s conversion making it 14-12.
The two kickers would trade missed penalties just before the break, bringing an end to an action packed half with little to pick between the two, 14-12.
The second half kicked off with Quins having the early impetus, it was just a matter of time before they retook the lead. William Mawira finishing off a Kevin Keagan move to take the score to 17-14.
The match would remain a close affair, with little to pick between the sides. Impala then rung the changes bringing on Robert Aringo and Ian Minjire who was making his comeback after a long injury lay off. The two would combine immediately to see Ian go over for a 21-17 score after Oliech’s conversion.
Impala would now take over the match, Nato Simiyu playing an instrumental role off his boot whenever Quins made forays into their territory. Pius Shihundu would stretch Impala’s lead at the 60th minute mark, Oliech converting for a 28-17 score line. Impala were now with the finish line in sight and the bonus point in the bag.
Quins would however spring into life, Kevin Keagan weaving his magic to split the Impala defence and score under the posts. He would however scuff his conversion from a little over 10 meters out to make the score 28-22.
The momentum was now shifting towards the hosts, but Oliech was once again the go to man, rounding up a man of the match performance with a try at the corner. Final score 33-22 after the missed conversion.
After what has been a really long wait, Impala finally got one over their next door neighbours. This perhaps the result they needed to turn their fortunes. It was another great all round performance from the side, their forwards working hard and their backs in fluid form.
Tough luck for the Quins, falling short in the forwards department, but able to stay in the match courtesy of a very potent back line that did very well on the day.
In the other derby, Strathmore had a much easier time seeing off Machine, 46-0 to finish the week top of the log. Nakuru easily getting past Mombasa 85-5 to jump into second. KCB getting over a 7-0 deficit inside the first 5 minutes to see off Blak Blad 60-10.
Western Bulls’ perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end when they fell 25-17 to Homeboyz in what was a thriller of a match. As Kabras finally got their first ever win in the Kenya cup, beating the Monks 41-0.
Alex Mutune’s return to action couldn’t help Nondies get past Mwamba as the white shirts lost 43-13 to the black shirts.
View the full standings here..
Collated Results.
Strathmore 46-0 Machine
Kabras 41-0 Catholic
Nakuru 85-5 Mombasa
Quins 22-33 Impala
Homeboyz 25-17 WBulls
Mwamba 43-13 Nondies
KCB 60-10 Blakblad
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
