Seven-try Quins breeze past Blak Blad, Mwamba hit Leos

Patrice Agunda (centre) of Kenya Harlequin tries to beat Mean Machine’s Robert Tabo (left) and Richard Alai during their Kenya Cup match on December 20, 2015 at the University of Nairobi grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Resurgent Impala shock champions Nakuru on home ground
  • Harlequin beat KU students to rise to league summit as Mbai’s men flourish

Kenya Harlequin may have closed the year at the top of Kenya Cup rugby league standings with an emphatic victory on Saturday, but the weekend belonged to Impala and Mwamba who chalked stunning wins.

Quins touched down seven tries as they thrashed visiting Blak Blad from Kenyatta University 57-12 at the RFUEA grounds to rise to the top with 23 points.

Eight-time champions Quins, who last won the diadem in 2012, went into the weekend in second place. Quins is the only team yet to concede this season.

“So far so good. Our target was to finish the year unbeaten. We were not necessarily looking at the table,” said Charles Cardiovillis, Quins director of coaching. “ It’s a bonus going into the break but I hope it won’t mess the momentum.”

A resurgent Impala claimed a bonus point when they scored four tries to shock former champions Nakuru 26-18 at Nakuru Athletics Club. It was Impala’s first win in Nakuru in five years as the home team suffered their second defeat at their backyard.

The victory saw the 10-time champions  Impala move one place to third in the league with 21 points, their best ever start to a season since winning Kenya Cup last in 2009.

“Winning in Nakuru for the first time since 2010 is inspiring, especially for the young players who have played well,” said Impala’s director of coaching Fred Ollows.

Coach John Mbai’s Mwamba recovered from a 21-47 defeat to Resolution Impala to hand Strathmore Leos a 19-11 defeat at the Jamhuri Park. Strathmore, who are sponsored by Pan African Management, had the previous weekend stunned Kenya Commercial Bank 27-25.

KCB, Nondescripts, Homeboyz and Western Bulls also registered inspiring victories as the league takes a break for Christmas holiday before resuming in January.

KCB recovered from their Strathmore defeat to vent their anger on Kabras Sugar 40-12 at Impala Sports Club while Nondescripts crushed Bungoma Sharks 51-0 at Bungoma High School.

Kabras’ coach Mike Bishop was lost for words after his side that created ripples last season to reach Cup final, slumped to their second consecutive defeat.

“We lost to betters sides but we shall cash on the break to fix the problem,” said Bishop.

KCB improved one place to second with 22 points after the victory, one better than Impala, who claimed a bonus point victory in Nakuru.

Strathmore Leos, who went into the weekend at the summit, slumped to fourth with 19 points after Mwamba’s defeat. The Leos tie on points with Homeboyz, who thrashed Thika 67-0 at the Jamhuri Park. Nakuru are sixth with 15 points followed by Nondies (14) and Mwamba (12).Western Bulls claimed their first victory of the season, beating visiting Mean Machine from the University of Nairobi 39-6 at Kakamega High School.

Sydney Muniafu, Nato Simiyu and Kevin Ochami crossed the line once before George Okowa conmverted twice to give Impala a 19-10 lead at the break. Martin Owila scored a try for Nakuru as Geoffrey Ominde converted before curling over a penalty for Nakuru’s points at the drinks. Owila would score again before Ominde slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit within a point at 18-19 and orchestrate Nakuru’s comeback.

However, Vincent Mose would set up Okowa for the winning try that he went on to convert.

Peter Kilonzo, Darwin Mukidza, Andrew Amonde, Marlin Mukolwe and Oliver Mang’eni scored a try apiece for KCB. Kenny Andola curled over three penalties and a conversion while Mukidza two conversions for KCB’s victory.

RESULTS

Nakuru 18, Impala 26; KCB 40, Kabras 15; Sharks 0, Nondies 51; Strathmore Leos 11, Mwamba 19; Homeboyz 67, Thika 0