Big boys Nakuru, Quins on parade on last day of the regular season

The first phase of the Kenya Cup rugby league ends on Saturday but the standings are likely to remain the same heading to the semi-final play-offs.

Last weekend, Mwamba ended Nakuru’s unbeaten run but the champions who are sponsored by Top Fry still top the 14-team table with 58 points.

They are followed by Kenya Harlequin and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) who have 48 points each but the Ngong Road-based side boasts a better difference. Clinching the last semi-final spot are last year’s losing finalists Strathmore University Leos with 47 points.

Quins and KCB who will play away on Saturday face relatively easy opponents in Kisumu and Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, with Nakuru hosting the unpredictable Leos at Nakuru Athletics Club.

Nakuru made history last season, crushing Strathmore 37-3 to become the first club outside Nairobi to win the prestigious Kenya Cup trophy.

The three sides are keen to avoid finishing fourth which would see them play Nakuru away in the semi-finals, the Great Rift side still unbeaten at home in almost four seasons.

Quins, sponsored by Lunch Bar and KCB all lost to Nakuru this season and this underlines the challenge Leos face at the Nakuru Athletics Club today. Quins lost a home battle to Nakuru 23-27 while KCB lost at Nakuru Athletics Club 10-26.

Nakuru coach Dominique Habimana said he will make minimal changes for the match against Leos, bringing back centres Meshak Ochieng and Godfrey Mbea and utility back Javan Murai. Wingers Cliff Amoko and the injured Larry Safari are expected to stay out.

UNASSAILABLE LEAD

Nakuru have an unassailable lead but Habimana will be out to finish the first phase on a high, having rectified their mistakes in their 20-30 loss to Mwamba last weekend.

“Our casual approach saw several mistakes combine to make a big problem tactically, but there were also refereeing issues,” said Habimana. “The outcome of the results won’t affect the standings but every game is a preparation for the next.” Habimana said he will introduce new tactics ahead of the semi-finals.

Strathmore coach Mitch Ocholla reckons Nakuru will be a hard nut to crack at home but his charges are determined to beat the odds.

“Victory will inspire the boys ahead of the semi-finals,” said Ocholla, who agrees a rematch with Nakuru is possible in the semi-finals.

“A lot has changed in our systems and should that be the case, the match will not be like last year’s final,” he added.

Kenya Cup: Mombasa vs Impala (MSC); Western Bulls v Homeboyz (Kakamega High); Machine v Nondies (UoN); Kisumu v Quins (Kisumu Polytechnic); Blak Blad v KCB (KU); Eldoret v Mwamba (Eldoret Sports Club); Nakuru v Strathmore (NAC).

Eric Shirley Shield (2pm): Mombasa II v Impala II (MSC); W.Bulls II v Homeboyz II (Kakamega High); Machine II v Nondies II (UoN); Kisumu II v Quins II (Kisumu Polytechnic); Blak Blad II v KCB II (KU); Eldoret II v Mwamba II (Eldoret Sports Club); Nakuru II v Strathmore II (NAC).