Impala tear Sharks to shreds to top Kenya Cup for first time in seven years

KCB Oliver Mang'eni (centre) avoids a tackle from Western Bulls Brian Bango (left) and Vernance Shikuba (right) during Kenya Cup Rugby match played on January 9, 2015 at Jamhuri Showground.They drew 27-27. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The weekend saw resurgent Kabras Sugar end Kenya Harlequin’s unbeaten run, Kabras winning 41-17 at Kakamega High School.

  • Western Bulls held champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 27-27 draw at Jamhuri Park showground as Nakuru thrashed visiting Nondescripts 54-16 at Nakuru Athletic Club.

Resolution Impala Saracens scored a record 19 tries as they tore visiting Bungoma Sharks to shreds with a 121-10 thrashing at the Impala Sports Club to top the Kenya Cup standings for the first time in seven years.

The weekend saw resurgent Kabras Sugar end Kenya Harlequin’s unbeaten run, Kabras winning 41-17 at Kakamega High School.

Western Bulls held champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 27-27 draw at Jamhuri Park showground as Nakuru thrashed visiting Nondescripts 54-16 at Nakuru Athletic Club.

Mwamba whitewashed Thika 57-7 at Railway Club in Nairobi, as Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad reigned supreme in the varsity’s derby, beating Mean Machine from the University of Nairobi 53-19. Joel Omer, Eric Kerre, centre Bill Omondi and fullback Vincent Mose contributed a hat-trick each as Impala taught newcomers Sharks rugby lessons.

The victory saw Impala, who were placed third before the weekend’s fixtures, dislodge Quins from the summit with 26 points.

PLAYED WELL

“We played well, let the boys celebrate after going to the top for the first time since 2009,” said Impala’s director of coaching Fred Ollows.

Impala now have five wins and a loss in the league, while KCB have four wins, a draw and one loss.

Despite the draw, KCB are second after they secured three points including a bonus for their tally of 25 as Quins slumped two places to third with 23 points.

Nakuru climbed two places to fourth position with 20 points after their win over Nondies   while Strathmore and Homeboyz, who had no match at the weekend, are fifth and sixth respectively with 19 points each.

Mwamba dislodged Nondies from seventh place after their success in Thika.

Brian Bango’s try that Isaac Wafula converted and a  penalty gave Western Bulls a 10-7 lead at the break.

Darwin Mukidza converted Marlin Mukolwe’s try for the bankers. Then Wafula converted Leon Mubi and Reinhardt Ashioya’s tries besides another penalty for Bulls, but Mukidza would later convert his own try and those of Elly Mukaisi and Curtis Lilako as the bankers got a penalty to level things for KCB.