Blak Blad cart away varsities Impala crown

Nairobi School Paul Odhiambo avoids a tackle from Laiser Hills Academy Silvester Miheso on March 29, 2014 during their Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Associations Metropolitans Rugby finals at Machakos Boys ground. A solid Laiser Hill dethroned Ofafa Jericho off the Impala Floodlit Schools title, beating the Nairobi Eastlands side 30-10 in the final of the Impala Floodlit rugby tournament on October 25, 2014. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Blak Blad had to weather United States International University-Africa’s (USIU-A’s) resurgence in the second half to win 20-16.
  • It was a sweet revenge for Laiser Hill, who lost to Ofafa Jericho during the 2012 Damu Pevu to miss out on promotion to Schools most prestigious championship, the Prescott Cup.

Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad on Saturday retained the Impala Floodlit Universities title as Ofafa Jericho lost their Schools crown to Laiser Hill at the Impala Sports Club grounds.

Blak Blad, who played well-structured game in the first half, had to weather United States International University-Africa’s (USIU-A’s) resurgence in the second half to win 20-16.

A solid Laiser Hill Academy dethroned Ofafa Jericho off the Impala Floodlit Schools title, beating the Nairobi Eastlands side 30-10 in the final.

Defending champions KCB were due to take on Kenya Harlequin in Clubs final.

Open side flanker Rocky Anguko and full back Rueben Moegi scored two tries was fly-half Felix Juma converted to give Blak Blad a 12-0 lead only for centre Afred Odawa to draw a penalty for USIU-A before the break.

Anguka scored another try for BLak Blad for a 17-3 lead before Odawa curled over his second penalty to reduce the deficit at 6-17. Some brilliant mauling from USIU-A saw second-row Moses Seroney scored a brace of tries to come within a point from the Blak Blad’s lead.

However, Moegi’s boot did the last talking that was enough for Blak Blad to keep the crown. “These boys have greatly improved since I took over three years ago. They barely passed the ball,” said Blak Blad coach Michael “Tank” Otieno.”

Laiser Hill scored five tries, a penalty and conversion for their maiden Floodlit trophy on their first appearance.

SWEET REVENGE

It was a sweet revenge for Laiser Hill, who lost to Ofafa Jericho during the 2012 Damu Pevu tomiss out on promotion to Schools most prestigious championship, the Prescott Cup.

However, Laiser Hill would earn promotion when they won Damu Pevu last year to get promotion to the 2014 Prescott Cup. Lady lack continued to smile to Laiser Hill, who would lift their first ever Prescott Cup three months ago stunning Lenana High School 22-14 in the final.

A lapse in concentration and lack of hunger saw the defending champions Ofafa trail 0-13 at the break when full back John Oliale slotted over a penalty before fly-half Mike Nyakundi and left wing Keith Hagono crossed the line each.

Laiser Hill managed the tries despite playing with a man less in two occasions when eighthman Steve Anthony and second row Donald Wandago were sin-binned.

Ofafa got three penalties but poor kicking cost them a chance to get back into the match before the drinks. Ofafa coach James Kaili was graceful in defeat.

“We had worthy opponents as they gave us a good match,” Kaili said. “We were slow in reaction and didn’t have the urgency to attack especially in the first half.”