Defending Eric Shirley Shield Champions the cubs of KCB, lead the way to the league’s semi finals after finishing top of the log. In their company and the race for the ESS are Nakuru II, Impala II and Kabras II.
The Cubs ran an almost perfect race in the league phase, only losing one match, the last in the league phase, where they were blanked 21-3 by Nakuru II. Second placed Nakuru II, who were runners up last season, will host the two semis courtesy of the senior side. They had an almost similar run, losing once but drawing twice in the 13 matches.
The Boks of Impala finished in third spot, and make a comeback to the ESS Semi finals after a season’s hiatus. Kabras II mirrored their first team as they edged out the Catulus of Strathmore to book this ticket on the last day of the regular season.
Hosts Nakuru II will face Kabras II in the early kick off, this one promises to be a cracker, especially looking at the previous meeting between the two during the league phase. These two played out a 15 all draw at the Kakamega Show grounds last year.
Nakuru II will be looking to make their home advantage count here, as they aim to make their second final in as many seasons. Many will be thinking that making it this far in their first season should be reward enough for Kabras II. The side, which has already shown that it can stand up to anybody on its day must be relishing the chance to beat Nakuru II here and proceed to the final.
The Cubs will return to the ground where they lost their unbeaten run a fortnight ago, hoping that the dust at the Suguta valley will be kind to them this time round as they face the Boks. This will be a replay of the semi final from the 2012/13 season where the cubs edged out the Boks 19-15.
Their most recent meeting in the league phase saw the Cubs claim a narrow 25-17 result.With Impala out of the Kenya Cup race you cannot ignore the fact that they might deploy some of their Kenya cup regulars here in an effort to salvage something from this season. Either way this one also promises to be a cracker.
Collated ESS Semi Final Fixtures :
Nakuru II vs Kabras II (10:00 am, NAC)
KCB II vs Impala II (12:00 noon, NAC)
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KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
