Impala, KCB stunned as Kenya Cup battle hots up

Strathmore Leos' Tony Owuor (centre) is tackled by Nakuru RFC's Geoffrey Ominde during their Kenya Cup rugby league match at Strathmore University Complex on April 2, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Strathmore Leos edged out visiting Nakuru 15-10 in a duel that was also played at a soggy pitch at the Cage.
  • Mwamba stunned champions Kenya Commercial Bank 13-7

Kabras Sugar stopped high-flying Impala Saracens 25-13 while Mwamba stunned champions Kenya Commercial Bank 13-7 in a day of surprises as the battle for Kenya Cup semi-final play-offs continued on Saturday.

Impala Saracen’s defeat at the Bull Ring, Kakamega, saw them surrender their position atop the league table lead for the first time in two months at the expense of Kenya Harlequin, who moved to the top with 71 points after they thrashed visiting Bungoma Sharks 91-6 at the RFUEA grounds.

Quins’ move to the top was the only shift in the league as Mwamba managed one converted try and two penalties against KCB at the Cage, Madaraka to stay eighth with 55 points.

Strathmore Leos edged out visiting Nakuru 15-10 in a duel that was also played at a soggy pitch at the Cage. The Cage was barely playable owing to the afternoon downpour.

Despite the defeats, Nakuru and KCB still got a bonus point each but remained third and fourth respectively with 62 points each.

Strathmore Leos stayed fifth but with an improved tally of 61 points while Kabras are sixth with 59 points. Homeboyz, who crushed visiting Mean Machine 39-0, also have 59 points.

Impala Saracens face a battle in their last two matches against Nondescripts and Strathmore Leos away.  Quins also have a tricky to qualify for the play-offs with Nakuru and Homeboyz their next opponents. Nakuru also have a tough battle since, besides Quins, they will host KCB at their Nakuru Athletic Club grounds. KCB, arguably have an easy outing against Bungoma Sharks but their last fixture against Nakuru will be crucial to their semi-final ambitions.

BIG BATTLE

Strathmore too don’t have an easy sail in their play-off dreams since, before their last match against Impala, they face Mwamba first next weekend. Kabras Sugar are already counting bonus point victories from their two last assignments against Blak Blad and Bungoma Sharks hoping that those above them will falter.

Homeboyz have a seemingly easy match one against Thika but must win their last outing against Quins to have any chance of reaching the play-offs.

The first two teams after the first phase will gain automatic places in the semi-final play-offs while the next four teams will engage in a one-off play-off to decide the other two semi-finalists.

Aluda Beda scored a brace of tries as Jone Kubu and Max Adaka managed one each as Kabras Sugar scored sweet revenge bonus point victory against Impala, who had beaten them 14-31 in the first leg.  Davis Makori and Nato Simiyu scored a try each while George Okoa curled over a penalty for Impala.

“We took our chances well and it’s a sweet victory for the boys,” said Kabras Sugar coach Anthony Ogot. “The victory was vital as it should put us in the semi-finals proper considering our two relatively easy remaining matches.”