Two of the biggest teams in the Kenya Cup on Saturday had to stay alert and secure important victories as race for playoffs continues in the 2024/25 season.
It was high intensity rugby between Champions Kabras RFC and visiting Nondescripts RFC at the Kakamega Showground.
The hosts under Coach Carlos Katywa were pushed hard and needed a try and conversion while Nondies responded with a penalty sore in what was a close but thrilling match witnessed by hundreds of locals.
Nondies under Coach Callum Oliver came hard at their opponents leaving them no room for manoeuvre even as they pressured the backline with kicks and lineouts.
The low score did not make up for the full blown end to end entertainment with both sides committing themselves to the mission.
Kabras are still the team to beat and are currently top of the standings with 44 points and are yet to lose in two seasons straight.
Nondies on their part are fourth on the log with 29 points and despite the good fight away in the crunch clash, have gone on a three loss streak.
Meanwhile second placed KCB RFC also survived a mighty scare when they faced enterprising Menengai Oilers of Nakuru at the former’s Ruaraka Lions Den (KCB Sports Club). It was fireworks from the very start as the hosts KCB fell 12-15 at the break with the visitors being plucky and aggressive against their opponents with counterpunch rugby.
This was Oilers first loss of the season and so far looks the business being placed third in the standings with 41 points having won the last four matches prior.
The bankers under Coach Oliver Man’geni knew the tough task and had to implement a dual strategy of territorial control and locking out free ball movement from the opponents.
Elvis Olukusi crossing the whitewash within the first three minutes to register KCB’s opening try. However, Oilers quickly responded with two well-taken drop goals to take a 6-5 lead.
The second half saw an intense battle as both sides pushed for tries. Oilers struck first, extending their lead to 22-12. KCB responded through Austin Sikutwa’s well-executed drop goal, adding three crucial points.
Nick Okullo then powered over under the posts, and a successful conversion brought KCB level at 22-22.
Oilers hit back with another try to regain a 27-22 lead, but the hosts were not done yet. The outstanding Austin Sikutwa muscled his way through for another try, converting it to secure a dramatic 29-27 triumph for KCB at home.
“I am so proud of this team for showing character in today’s match. We knew it was not going to be an easy fixture.
The Oilers came at us with everything they had, but we stayed focused until the final whistle. Now, our attention shifts to the Impala fixture next weekend.”
In another duel, Nakuru RFC continued their improvements with a narrow 23-22 victory over Strathmore Leos at the Strathmore Sports Complex, securing their second win of the season. Wanyore as they are popularly known have had a torrid season and are currently 11th on the log off nine matches with a similar number of points.
Elsewhere, Kenya Harlequins delivered a painful defeat to coastal newbies South Coast Pirates in a53-17 result that moved them to fifth place on the log to 26 points.
Quins under the guidance of Paul Murunga had previously lost four matches in a row. Pirates dropped to the bottom of the standings following the loss and their survival in the top tier seems tricky going by results.
Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad topped their 50th anniversary with a 40-19 mauling of Kisumu RFC AT Mamboleo Showground. Blak Blad in sixth place had the previous weekend thumped South Coast Pirates 5-0-3 in another league fixture.
On the other hand, Impala RFC bounced back from their heavy 56-3 defeat to Menengai Oilers last weekend as they saw off Mwamba RFC 19-12 at the Impala Grounds.
