Kabras defy odds to storm Kenya Cup semis
Mwamba RFC's Peter Chege (centre) struggles to get past Mean Machine's Samuel Meja during their Kenya Cup Rugby League match on February 21, 2015 at Impala Club. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Kabras will now face defending champions Nakuru, who edged out KCB 23-20 to finish the first phase of the league atop the table with 61 points.
- Nakuru, under coach Dominique Habimana, is the only unbeaten side, winning all their 13 matches.
- Mwamba crushed Mean Machine 49-6 with a hat trick of tries from Dennis Ombachi but all was in vain as Strathmore didn’t do them any favours.
Fly half Brian Tanga scored a hat trick of tries for debutantes Kabras Sugar as they humiliated Strathmore Leos 61-24 to storm the Kenya Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
Kabras, who scored eight tries in the match, will now face defending champions Nakuru, who edged out KCB 23-20 to finish the first phase of the league atop the table with 61 points.
Nakuru, under coach Dominique Habimana, is the only unbeaten side, winning all their 13 matches.
Kabras’ victory saw them finish fourth with 46 points same as Strathmore Leos, who also got a bonus point after scoring four tries. Strathmore claimed the third spot on superior aggregate.
KCB, who also secured a bonus point for losing by not more than seven points to collect 59 points, will now meet Strathmore in the semis.
HONOUR OF HOSTING
Nakuru now have the honour of hosting one of the semi-final matches on March 7 by virtue of finishing at the top. The final and the play-off for third place will take place on March 14.
The semis will be crackers if the results from the league phase are anything to go bay. Kabras restricted Nakuru to a 13-10 win in Kakamega while KCB beat Strathmore 38-17 in Match Day 11.
Mwamba, who were contesting for the final semi-final slot with Kabras, crushed Mean Machine 49-6 with a hat trick of tries from Dennis Ombachi but all was in vain as Strathmore didn’t do them any favours.
“A lot of water has passed the bridge since we met Nakuru. Our last encounter was tight and we have gained experience,” said Kabras Sugar deputy coach Anthony Ogot. “But this will be a different ball game altogether since it’s a knockout with no second chance.”
