Nakuru Face Bogey Team On Match Day 9

There is little doubt that over the last two years, Nakuru RFC has been the dominant side as far as fifteens rugby goes, picking up back to back Kenya Cups and an Enterprise cup. Over that period however, there is one thing that the Wanyore have failed to do. Beat Mwamba RFC.

Past action between Nakuru and Mwamba (Photo :  Mwamba RFC)
Past action between Nakuru and Mwamba (Photo : Mwamba RFC)

This weekend Kulabu travel to the dreaded Suguta Valley to face the current league leaders and defending champions, Nakuru RFC, in the highlight match of game day 9.

Last time Kulabu travelled to the great rift, they left with a 15 all draw, in the 2012/13 season, they are to date the only side that has picked up points from the NAC. Last season, they were the only side to beat the Wanyore, recording a 30-20 result at the UoN grounds.

This fixture comes after a torrid two weeks for the black shirts, suffering a last minute defeat to Strathmore before being hammered by KCB last weekend. They currently lie in 5th spot, 5 points off the play off places. Their opponents are sitting at the top of the standings, on 39 points.

Kulabu will be looking to work their Mojo against Nakuru one more time and get back to winning ways to make up valuable ground in the race for the play off places. They will probably welcome back Dan Sikuta and Brad Odwako who sat out the loss against KCB and maybe finally will deploy Lavin Asego and Edwin Machanje.

Nakuru will be looking to hold on to top spot and finally get one over their bogey side over the last two years. The Wanyore will not take the black shirts lightly, even with their results from the previous weekends. The defending champions were stretched last weekend before recording a 36-29 win over Nondies. They will also be out to give a strong performance to settle any nerves.

Sammy Warui, Edwins Makori, Mike Okombe and Martin Owila will be vital in the forwards, an area that is bound to offer a titanic battle. The trio of Martin Muita, Kelvin Omiyo and Leslie Ochieng will marshal the back line for the Wanyore.

Kulabu will be looking at the likes of Collins Injera, Louis Kisia, Dennis Ombachi and Salaton Muturi to guide them to that much needed win.

KCB vs Homeboyz (4:00 pm, Ruaraka Grounds)

The other stand out fixture on match day 9 is the clash between second placed KCB and sixth placed Homeboyz at the Lion’s den.

These two have had a steaming rivalry ever since the Djs were promoted to the top flight. The Djs are yet to win this fixture though, losing the previous two meetings, 50-12 in the 2012/13 season and a 20-14 loss last year (see the coincidence there?)

Homeboyz in past action

Homeboyz return to the ground where they narrowly beat Strathmore 18-15, hoping that they will finally get one over their ‘big brother’. They will come up against a strong Lions side that is yet to taste defeat this season, and high on confidence after that 25-18 win against Mwamba last weekend.

With the national sevens players still available for selection, we are likely to see Andrew Amonde vs Joshua Chisanga in the stand out battle at the back row. Fabian Olando will probably line up against Oscar Ayodi with Leonard Mugaisi taking on Jacob Ojee.

It is always special when these two meet, they know each other too well.

Other fixtures will see a relegation play off and university derby in one, as the Catholic Monks host Mean Machine. It is widely expected that whoever losses here will join Mombasa on the chopping board. This one is bound to be another cracker.

That match at the Catholic University will be preceded by a clash between Impala and Blak Blad, the two are currently separated by two points on the log, with Impala in 8th spot, Blad in 9th.

Mombasa will be making the long trip to Kakamega to face the Western Bulls at the Kakamega Show grounds. This will be the first match of two at the venue, with Kabras taking on Nondies in the tea time kick off.

Third placed Leos will be back to the ground where they lost their unbeaten run last weekend, when they face the Kenya Harlequins at the Lion’s den, just before the KCB vs Homeboyz match. The Leos will be out to bounce back immediately with Quins looking to build on their big win over Catholic and remain in the race for the play off places.

Collated Match Day 9 Fixtures :

Blakblad v Impala – 2.00pm, Catholic University

Catholic v Mean Machine – 4.00pm, Catholic University

Strathmore Leos v Quins -2.00pm, KCB Sports Club

KCB v Homeboyz -4.00pm, KCB Sports Club

Western Bulls v Mombasa -2.00pm, Kakamega Show ground

Kabras Sugar v Nondies – 4.00pm, Kakamega Show ground

Nakuru v Mwamba -4.00pm, N.A.C

KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!

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Poghie

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