What a way to bring the curtain down on the 2014/15 league phase. From Kakamega to Nairobi, there was last minute action, scores that we couldn’t see coming and everything in between.
Heading into the final game week of the league phase, all eyes were on the top of the table clashes with league leaders KCB travelling to the Suguta Valley as third placed Strathmore travelled with the hopes of fifth placed Mwamba to Kakamega for a showdown against fourth placed Kabras.
With an outside chance of making the play offs, Impala hosted neighbours Nondies. As the Monks held on to dear life, it was finely set up for an explosive weekend.
It all kicked off at the Impala grounds on Friday night. Where Impala found themselves trailing 22-3 at the half time break. The red shirts found themselves 5-0 down inside the first 10 minutes from a Nigel Waweru try. A yellow card to Pius Shiundu further dented Impala’s charge, with Nondies taking full advantage to score their second try.
It was all Nondies in the first half as a further two tries saw the white shirts claim a bonus point. It could have been worse for the hosts as centre referee Constant Cap disallowed a Calvins Biko try. George Okowa scored the only points for Impala through a penalty for 22-3 half time score.
The introduction of Sammy Oliech and Anthony Nyandigisi sparked life into the hosts. Their impact was almost instant as Oliech set up Pius Shiundu to make up for his time at the bin with a try. Okowa converting to make it 22-10, the red shirts had kicked off their comeback.
Oliech was once again at the centre of Impala’s second try, this time taking matters into his own hands, scoring a brilliant try and adding the extras, to bring the scores to 22-17. Brian Beckham would get Nondies their only points in this half from a penalty to make it 25-17.
With a little over 10 minutes to go, David Dinda would go over with Oliech converting to set up an nerve wrecking closing stage of this game, with only one point in it at 25-24.
Nondies would hold on to that result, albeit with a bit of assistance from the ref, depending on who you ask. Either way that result meant Impala finished in 6th, on 38 points two more than Nondies in seventh.
There was no luck for the Monks as they joined Mombasa in the relegation slide, after falling 33-0 to the Bulls on Saturday. The side deserves accolades for going through the 13 weeks, taking beating after beating but not shying away. Sure they have picked vital lessons from that run, wouldn’t be surprised seeing them back in the top flight, season after next.
Homeboyz finished in eighth spot on 35 points after claiming a 36-3 win over Blak Blad who finish in 11 spot on 15 points. Mean Machine once again did just enough to survive the axe, despite losing 49-6 to Mwamba at the Impala club. Mwamba finish in fifth spot on 44 points.
Quins ended what has been a trying season in the league with a 33-0 win over already relegated Mombasa. The quartered shirts finish in 10th spot on 26 points.
At the Kakamega Show grounds, Kabras were out to make a statement against the Leos. They were 13-0 up inside the first twenty minutes before the Leos got themselves on the score board from a try to make it 13-7. The next period in this half was end to end stuff as phase as the sides traded scores.
At some point Leos were within four points of Kabras at 18-14, that was the closest the Leos got to the sugar millers in this match. After that, it was the last time we heard of the Leos in Kakamega. Man City would turn on the after burners to claim a 61-24 result and seal 4th spot, tied on 46 points with the side they put to the sword here.
At a very dusty NAC grounds, the two unbeaten sides this far in the league would square it out in the highlight of the weekend. The match kicked off after a moment of silence in honour of former KCB player Franklin ‘Stooge’ Amiani.
The hosts kicked off the stronger of the two, Martin Muita hitting the upright from a penalty inside the first 5 minutes. KCB would slowly get into the match, putting together some brilliant plays but shooting themselves in the leg each time with the try line begging.
Meanwhile Nakuru were clinical in their play, Martin Muita kicking over three penalties for a 9-0 lead at the clock hit the 30 minute mark. The Lions found themselves down to 14 men with Max Adaka visiting the sin bin. The Lions doing well to hold fort, until centre referee evened out the numbers, sending Dalmas Chituyi to the bin.
Ken Moseti would get things going for KCB from the ensuing penalty as the side looked to close that gap. They would however once again let another chance go begging just before the half time break, with the sides going into the breather at 9-3.
Nakuru would go into the break the happier of the two sides, they were the more efficient side in that period. KCB would rue their chances as they looked disjointed, especially at the middle of the park, letting opportunity after opportunity go by. The battle at the set piece though was living up to expectation, especially at the scrum where the Lions stood up to be counted.
The second half kicked off with the bankers on the resurgence, they would however find themselves under their posts moments after being inside the Nakuru 22. Nakuru would turnover a KCB maul, Mike Okombe breaking clear to be stopped just short. Martin Owila would receive the ball from the resulting ruck to score. Muita adding the extras for a 16-3 score.
KCB would keep piling the pressure, camping inside the Nakuru 22, piling up the phases the forwards but failing to score thanks to their costly mistakes and some resolute defending from the Wanyore. There was however no stopping Jacob Ojee as he went over at the corner minutes later to make it 16-8. The Lions were finally finding their rhythm.
The visitors would once again set up tent inside the Nakuru 22, winning penalty after penalty, opting to go for the maul. Nakuru would again find themselves with their backs against the wall, defending maul after maul, walking a thin line with the laws. Godwin Karuga would have enough of this as he send Mike Okombe to the bin with 20 minutes to play.
This was KCB’s chance to take this game, as Nakuru buckled up for what would be a crucial phase in the game. Elly Mukaisi made it a one point game, reacting fastest to a lose ball after some great work at the ruck to touch down for his side’s second try. Mukidza adding the extras for a 16-15 score line.
Nakuru would take the game to their opponents, despite their numerical disadvantage, it was their turn to set up camp inside KCB territory. They would get back to their full complement, getting that all important boost. The battle at the scrum would hit its crescendo inside the last 5 minutes as KCB found themselves defending at the scrum inside their 5 yard.
They would defend impressively, turning over the ball on every take. Their efforts would however see Max Adaka receive his marching orders after being shown his second yellow card. Despite the numerical advantage, Nakuru would fail to score from the scrum, the Lions keeping them at bay time and again. Centre referee would then award the hosts a penalty try from a professional foul by KCB, Martin Muita converting for a 23-15 score line as we entered the final 5 minutes of the match.
Many had already called this game at this point, but the Lions would have one last throw at the dice. Darwin Mukidza collecting a Nakuru clearance before slicing through the defence to score at the corner, he however failed to add the extras bringing the score to 23-20.
This set up a tense finish to the match, Nakuru doing enough to hold on to that result. KCB’s unbeaten run comes to an end with Nakuru now taking top spot and the rights to host the semi finals. It was a great encounter that lived up to expectation, both sides can be proud of their respective performances as they prepare for the semis.
Collated Match Day 13 results :
Top Fry Nakuru 23-20 KCB
Kabras Sugar 61-24 Pan Africa Strathmore Leos
Mean Machine 6-49 Mwamba
Catholic Monks 0-33 Western Bulls
Blak Blad 3-36 Homeboyz
Mombasa 0-33 Kenya Harlequins
Resolution Impala Saracens 24-25 Total Nondies
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
