The Kenya Harlequin produced a gritty performance to edge out the pre-match favourites Kabras 19-17 in the highlight of Kenya Cup match day 2 action.
Most had given Quins little chance against their revered opponents, the opening stages of the match stuck to this script. Kabras dominating both the territory and possession stats in the opening 10 minutes. Quins would slowly crawl their way out of this period, lucky not to have conceded.
The next 20 minutes saw both sides scuff scoring opportunities from the boot, as it largely remained a cagey affair. The teams struggled to put together more than 3 consecutive phases of play, with Quins looking the more ‘structured’ of the two.
We finally had our first points on the board courtesy of Quins, Tony Mutai going over from the back of a maul to make it 5-0. This then opened the gates to a flurry of scores in the closing five minutes of the first half.
Kabras looked to get back in the game immediately as they made their way into Quins territory with a renewed sense of intent. Their efforts were however cut short from an intercepted pass by Patrice Agunda who sprinted half the length of the pitch to score, Lyle Asiligwa converting to make it 12-0.
After what was a dull first half, we were finally being served up with something to cheer about. Moments later an encounter between Dennis Muhanji and Kabras winger Sevi Racigi that defied the laws of Physics lifted everyone off their seats.
To wrap up the first half, Kabras would finally get on the scoreboard through Max Adaka, Jone Kubu converting to bring the scores at half time to 12-7.
It had been a largely dull affair in the first half, Kabras struggling to play with any structure with Quins out witting them at almost every turn. The sugar millers struggled at the line out with the rest of the set piece battle a see saw affair though Kabras had the upper hand at scrum time.
Kabras looked to dominate physically but could have done a much better job, with most of their bigger men silent in the first half.
The visitors started the second half much like the first, in control of things. Their efforts to get back into this encounter were given a boost when Quins had a player sent to the bin. This period saw Quins fly half Kevin Keegan play a pivotal role off his kicks, to relieve his side of territorial pressure.
There was however little he or his team could do to prevent Kabras from leveling the score through Levy Ochieng and take the lead off Kubu’s conversion to make it 14-12.
Kabras now looked set to claim a hard fought victory here, as Kubu added three points off a drop goal and David Mogere saw yellow with a little over 10 minutes to play, at 17-12. Quins however put in some exemplary work to keep the sugar millers at bay.
Another beauty of a clearance from Keegan’s boot saw Quins enter the Kabras 22 with precious little time left. Kabras’ throw saw them kick it out amid celebrations, thinking that time was up, but center referee Godwin Karuga called for a line out, Quins ball.
Quins would regather the ball off Tony Mutai, who had been immense at the line out, to set up a maul. The Kabras forwards would throw everything at defending the maul, as it kept inching closer to their line. It was however an exercise in futility as Tony went over for his brace and more importantly to tie the score at 17 all.
The hopes of Quins rested on the boot of Lyle Asiligwa, as the home stand joined their players on one knee as Asiligwa lined up his kick. As he had done countless times before for both club and country, Lyle’s kick was right on the money to hand his side a 19-17 win.
Quins would be proud of that result, especially of their forwards and one Kevin Keegan who was outstanding especially in the second half. If I were to pick the man of the match, it would be a close call between Tony Mutai and Keegan. The previous not only for his tries but his performance at the line out.
Kabras would rue their missed chances and their inability to turn up on the day against a highly spirited Quins side. The sugar millers were all over the place, playing with little structure if any, they failed to capitalise on their scrum domination, and had a day to forget at line out time.
This Quins side is shaping up to be the surprise package of the season, even though we have only played 2 matches. The result against Impala followed by this one would have done their confidence a whole load of good, if they can keep choking up these kinds of results there is no telling when or who will stop them.
An eye opener for Kabras who had probably been a bit too full of themselves coming into this one. For a side that boasts of some of the biggest players in the league, their big men never turned up for this one. I doubt they had more than five carries over the 80 minutes, apart from Big Ben the rest were largely absent.
Other results saw Nakuru blow past Nondies 31-12 with Homeboyz grabbing a last gasp 10-8 win against Mwamba. The Leos turned around a 13-12 score to a 20-13 win at the Bull ring.
Collated Match Day 2 results :
Total Nondies 12-31 Top Fry Nakuru
Kenya Harlequin 19-17 Kabras Sugar
Mean Machine 0-37 KCB
Menengai Cream Homeboyz 10-8 Mwamba
Kenya Sharks 5-64 Resolution Impala Saracens
Western Bulls 13-20 Pan Africa Strathmore Leos
Thika 0-5 Blak Blad
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
