KCB in limbo as Oilers clinch first Eric Shirley Shield title
It was even sweeter one for coach Gibson Weru who earned a second consecutive win against the Bankers
Menengai Oilers RFC’s good season continued at the weekend following their maiden Eric Shirley Shield (ESS) Trophy win after downing KCB Rugby Football Club 15-12 in what was a sweet victory for the Nakuru-based side at KCB Ruaraka Grounds on Saturday.
It was even sweeter one for coach Gibson Weru who earned a second consecutive win against the Bankers thus eliminating Oliver Man’geni’s side in the top two domestic tournaments inside seven days. The fact that KCB in the regular season were almost untouchable and the ESS Trophy has also been dominated a lot in the past by the Lions, made it anguish for the loyal bankers fans in what has been a season to forget.
Interestingly, however, it was a game that was bereft of tries as all goals came via penalties. Oilers drilled in five penalties, while KCB slotted in three of their own and a solitary drop kick. Both sides had clinical defending styles at play. Oilers star man Alvin Khavoli was penalised for not releasing the ball early following a field kick. An aggressive KCB were all over Oilers pressing them in their 22 before that move by Khavoli later on settling for the penalty. Oilers went 3-0 down with a real struggle to keep position.
Oilers took back possession and territory after the restart as twice they opted to find touch from the penalty spot before losing possession in the scrum which created exposing to the visiting side; sending the contest back to the centre pitch.
Oilers struggled quite a bit to find fluidity in the set piece with pressure mounting in the lineout which then created an error thus allowing Lionel Ajeliti add a further three pointer from just outside the 22 to make it 6-0 for the Bankers. This appeared to boost the morale of the KCB bench who were urging the home side.
Davis Nyaundi’s perceived error was not welcome for KCBN as they immediately lost the resulting lineout before Beldad Ogeta was left flat footed by a kick sent up by Nyaundi to swing possession to the Bankers favor. The green shirts who would then enjoy a lengthy dominance, sadly saw Thomas Okidia’s attempt to be ruled for a held up in the scoring area, also elicited murmurs from the spectators.
Erick Ogutu would then give Oilers their first points of the day at the death of the first half, hitting the upright from outside the 22 meter mark right at the centre. This is following KCB’s defense line being deemed offside on this occasion.
Oilers came alive after the break, with the enterprising Ogutu pulling them level from a kick on the 22 after his purge into the Banker’s area failed to materialize. The referee called it back for an offside against the green team defense. Onwards, it became a seesaw affair between the two battling sides.
Levi Amunga would then get another three pointer for the Bankers to retake the lead following intensified pressure. It bore fruit with a penalty awarded as Oilers staged a resolute defense on their five to deny the KCB a try, with scores standing at 9-6.The exceptional and lively Ogutu then pulled Oilers level with another three pointer from close to 30 meters out before Amunga slotted in a drop kick for the Bankers to retake the lead, scores 12-9 at this point.
Two further kicks by Ogutu for Oilers would make it 12-15 in favor of the visitors who would then hold on to the lead as KCB shot themselves on the foot, the referee judged the lineout throw not straight to end the clash and send the Oilers bench into a frenzy.
