It is once again, my favourite time of year, I think I have made this clear in the past. As Kenya rugby’s oldest tournament, the Enterprise Cup takes centre stage.
Knock out rugby has a magic feel around it, unlike what you get in the league. Here the team that turns up in the eighty minutes, or more takes the day, there are no second chances. Those stakes usually bring out the very best out of teams during the cup run.
This weekend, eight sides play in the pre quarter finals, with four matches on the card. The highlight match seeing 2013 champions Mwamba travel to Kakamega, to face the Western Bulls. Four sides have already booked their spots in the quarter finals by virtue of their performance last year, the four are Nakuru, KCB, Impala and Nondies.
The other fixtures this weekend will see Kenya cup runners up Kabras return to the RFUEA to face Quins, Mean Machine will make the short trip to Madaraka to face Strathmore while Homeboyz face Blak Blad at the Catholic University grounds.
Mwamba vs Western Bulls – 4:00 pm, Kakamega High School
The last time Kulabu visited the Bull ring, they suffered a bitter 16-15 last minute loss. This time the black shirts will have to keep their concentration for the full 80 minutes if they are to go all the way and lift the trophy they won in 2013. The side will be without their sevens contingent of Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Humphrey Kayange and Dan Sikuta. They will also be without centre Brad Owako who is out through injury.
The Bulls will be looking to confirm that the win against Mwamba was no fluke and make it to their first ever Enterprise Cup quarter final. Duncan Abuyeka, Davis Chenge and Cyrus Kuya will be vital for their charge here.
They will however need to be wary of this Kulabu side which still has some seasoned players within their ranks. The likes of Salaton Muturi, Chris Asego, Horace Otieno, Dennis Ombachi and Loius Kisia who will be a handful for the Bulls defence.
The winner here will book a quarter final match against Impala.
Kenya Harlequins vs Kabras Sugar RFC – 4:00 pm, RFUEA Grounds
Quins welcome back Eden Agero for the Kabras clash, the deceptive play maker slots in at fly half and will form an exciting half back pairing with Lyle Asiligwa. Wilson Kopondo partners Tony Mutai at second row with Brian Okwomi starting at number 8.
The quartered shirts have picked a side that clearly shows, at least on paper, that they are ready to get back on the horse they fell from during the Kenya cup. The last time these two met, Kabras were 27-10 winners at the same venue.
The sugar millers will be without Nick Barasa who is still out through injury, they however might be able to recall captain Polycap Luaki. Edwin Achayo will be up against a side he knows a bit too well, as he lines up against Lyle Asiligwa at number 9. Kabras will be looking to replicate their league form in the cup, perhaps this time going all the way and winning it.
The winners here will go on to meet KCB in the quarter finals.
Homeboyz will be facing the side they beat 36-3 in the last round of the league phase. This one should be straight forward for the Djs. The winner here will meet defending champions, Nakuru RFC.
The Leos like Kabras have no break between the league and cup campaigns, as they immediately get into Enterprise action, after finishing fourth in the Kenya cup last weekend. They face campus rivals Mean Machine, in the first fixture to be played at the cage this season. Last time the two met, the Leos were 46-0 winners.
The winner here will set up an encounter against Nondies in the quarter finals.
Collated Enterprise Cup Fixtures :
Homeboyz vs Blakblad – 4 pm, Catholic.
Strathmore vs Machine – 4 pm, Strathmore Uni.
Quins vs Kabras – 4pm, RFUEA (Live on Zuku)
W.Bulls vs Mwamba – 4pm, Kakamega High.
Meanwhile, keep those votes coming ladies and gents…Lets BAKE this award, you can vote by clicking on the nominee badge on your right.
KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!!!
