Some of the perks in this new league format is that we get to experience weekends such as this coming one, twice. After a thrilling encounter on match day 1, it is time for Ngong Road derby round 2!
When they last met, on 21st November 2015, on a soggy Impala club grounds, Quins grabbed a last minute 29-22 victory courtesy of a William Mawira break away try. Since then Impala have gone on an impressive 7-0 run, that has seen them rise to the summit of the league.
Quins have been on an equally impressive run, winning 6 and losing 1 this far, they now sit in 2nd, 3 points behind their neighbours. For the first time in quite a while, the Ngong road derby will be a top of the table clash!
Elsewhere the Strathmore Leos will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Thika RFC at the Thika Stadium. Mwamba will also be on a similar venture as they take on Mean Machine at the Kabete campus grounds. After claiming their first win of the year, Western Bulls will be looking to build on it when they welcome Nondies to the Bull ring.
Kabras will make the short trip to Bungoma High School to face bottom placed Sharks, with Nakuru making their way back to the capital to face Blak Blad at the Kenyatta University grounds.
Menengai Cream Homeboyz v KCB – 2:00PM RFUEA
To curtain raise the Ngong road derby, will be a clash that promises as much action, if not more with third placed KCB taking on Homeboyz who are in fourth.
They are separated by 1 point, with the Djs having a game in hand. This encounter will offer both sides a prime opportunity to make the most of any slip ups at the top. KCB are on 30 points, Homeboyz on 29, league leaders Impala are on 35, with Quins on 32. A bonus point win here for either side will be very welcome, looking at the math.
All meetings between these two have so far produced one winner KCB, their most recent encounter happening at the Floodies semi finals, the Lions edging that 22-18 on their way to claiming the Floodies 3-peat. Before that they had beaten the Djs 28-0 in the Enterprise cup final and 41-5 during the league phase.
As we have seen so far, this league has shown very little respect especially for history. Strathmore beat KCB, Mwamba beat Strathmore, Impala beat Nakuru, twice, Quins beat KCB, Homeboyz beat Nakuru. These are statement we are not used to saying, yet they have already happened with only 8 game weeks gone.
The Djs have been in imperious form this far, and have managed to do their work under the radar, perhaps thanks to that game in hand. They have only lost one game of the seven played, apart from last weekend where they struggled against Machine, they have put in some great shows, most notably against Kabras.
The defending champions have had a lukewarm start to their season, losing 2 and drawing 1 in the eight played so far. They have at times looked like a pale shadow of last season’s double winning side, they however looked to have turned things around against Mwamba last weekend and will be out to build on that display.
The Djs welcome back Haroun Lubisia who was dearly missed against Mean Machine, he will marshal Max Kang’eri and Jeff Oluoch who replaces Humphrey Mulama. Augustine Lughonzo will be pulling the strings alongside Lubisia with Alvine Otieno, Leonard Mugaisi and Nelson Sangura completing what is a very explosive DJs back line.
This is where they will be looking to play, hoping to punch gaps in the KCB back line that welcomes back Darwin Mukidza who will be playing at 14, Ken Moseti being preferred at 15. Felix Wanjala and Ken Andola will be on hand to direct the Lions’ traffic, with Arthur Ochieng, Brian Omondi and James Kilonzo winding up the KCB backs.
At the forwards, Joshua Chisanga will be leading his charges, amongst others, Emmanuel Mavala, Felix Ojow and Elphas Etemesi against the likes of Curtis Lilako, Oliver Mang’eni and Elly Mukaisi.
One of the battles I’ll be keen on will be at the engine room, where Emmanuel Mavala and Andrew Chogo will square it out against Oliver Mang’eni and Francis Mwita, who replaces John Ahenda.
It is set to be a bruising battle, if their last encounter is anything to go by, the margin between these two is very slim, if indeed it still exists. So Mwamaume finally atakataa? Will the Djs make the Lions dance to their beat or will the Lions once again proof ‘un-scratchable?’
Kenya Harlequin v Resolution Impala Saracens – 4:00PM RFUEA
That it is the biggest match in any given Kenya rugby calendar is no doubt, over the last couple of years these two have been battling mainly for pride and the bragging rights that it comes with. This time round though, there will be the added incentive of topping the league.
This one is expected to be a tactical battle, above anything else. These two have so far showed that they can outwit most with their cunning styles of play, so who will be the master tactician at the end of the day?
As mentioned earlier, Quins edged the reverse fixture 29-22, before this Impala had claimed a 48-17 win in the pre-season’s Floodies and a 33-22 result in the league. Over the last three seasons, Quins hold a 2-1 advantage in the league meetings.
Both come into this fixture off wins, Quins with perhaps an easier day in the office, beating Blak Blad 53-8. Impala claiming that memorable 28-15 win over Nakuru.
Predictably, Impala have made little changes in their starting line up, making two due to injuries. On the other hand, Quins have brought back Patrice Agunda, Leroy Anyembe, Kevin Keegan, David Ahawo and William Mawira.
With these two evenly matched in almost all departments, it will truly be a battle of wits. The nifty Kevin Keegan will be lining up against the crafty Nato Simiyu. You get the feeling that this match up will be won or lost here, with Lyle Asiligwa and Samson Onsomu also in this battle.
David Mogere will be keeping close tabs on Duncan Ekasi, especially at scrum time, with David Ahawo and Peter Misango completing the Quins back row. Paul ‘toi’ Mutsami and Tyson Okoth lining up on the opposite side.
The battle at centre will probably be the talk of town as Patrice Agunda and David Ambunya square it out against Robert Aringo and Billy Omondi. At either side William Mawira will be running at Samuel Motari, with Kevin Ochami lining up against Frank Wanyama. Did I mention Sammy Oliech vs Felix Ayange at full back?
This one has all the ingredients of a block buster, one to chase away any Njaanuary woes you might have had. I have a weird feeling that a last minute drop goal to win it, might just be on the cards.
Collated Match Day 9 Fixtures :
Menengai Cream Homeboyz v KCB – 2:00PM RFUEA *Live on Zuku & K24
Kenya Harlequin v Resolution Impala Saracens – 4:00PM RFUEA *Live On Zuku & K24
Thika v Pan Africa Strathmore Leos -4:00PM Thika Stadium
Mean Machine v Mwamba – 4:00PM UoN Kabete Campus
Western Bulls v Nondescripts -4:00PM Kakamega High School
Kenya Sharks v Kabras Sugar – 4:00PM – Bungoma High School
Blak Blad v Top Fry Nakuru 4:00PM KU Grounds
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
