Mukaisi stars as KCB down Impala to retain Floodlit title
KCB players celebrate lifting Impala Floodlit Rugby tournament trophy on October 31, 2015 at the Impala Sports Club after beating Impala 26-14 in the final. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- United States International University-Africa and Laiser Hill retained their Universities and Schools Floodlit titles respectively.
- USIU-A braved a late onslaught from Strathmore Leos II, touching down four tries, two conversions and two penalties to triumph 30-20.
Flanker Elly Mukaisi scored a hat-trick of tries as Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) rallied from behind to beat Impala 26-14 and retain the Impala Floodlit title at Impala Sports Club grounds on Saturday.
KCB held their nerves to overturn a 3-14 deficit with their defence cutting off Impala’s attacks in the second half for their fifth Cup success.
The bankers triumphed through three tries, three penalties and a conversion. Full-back Darwin Mukidza did the kicking for KCB, who are also the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup champions. Impala managed two converted tries that saw them lead 14-13 at the break. Full-back Sammy Oliech converted second-row Paul Oimbo and Eric Kerre tries. “It was purely a tactical match. Impala were on form but we knew where to catch them. They just couldn’t sustain 80 minutes battle,” said KCB coach Curtis Olago.
RETAINED TITLES
Earlier, United States International University-Africa and Laiser Hill retained their Universities and Schools Floodlit titles respectively.
USIU-A braved a late onslaught from Strathmore Leos II, touching down four tries, two conversions and two penalties to triumph 30-20.
Laiser, who are the National and East Africa Secondary Schools champions, led 10-0 at the break as they scored four tries and two conversions to trounce Ofafa Jericho 24-7 in what was a repeat of last year’s final.
MOVE TO CAMP
Outside centre Donald Omondi crossed the line twice while loose-head prop Maclanhan Sikuku and right wing Junior Onyango managed a try apiece to propel USIU-A to their second consecutive title. But not before left wing Daniel Dindi and scrum-half Dennis Juma curled over a conversion each with Kevin Shihabira stabbing over two penalties.
Full back Ian Lumwaji’s brace of tries and tries from eighth man Dan Otieno and substitute Cyprian Kuto fell short as Leos succumbed for the second time against USIU-A. USIU-A would receive Sh60,000 for their effort. “We might have taken our chances well to put the points on board but our defence did the work for us,” said Laiser Hill coach Kevin Wambua.
“They came hard on my boys but they were resolute in defence.”
Wambua said they will proceed for a two-week camp when schools go on recess. “We want to see how we shall build two strong 15s and sevens teams that will challenge for major events into the season,” said Wambua.
