KCB, Impala renew rivalry in Floodlit final

Defending champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will face off with hosts Impala Saracens for the third consecutive time at the Impala Floodlit final on Saturday at the Impala Sports Club in Nairobi.

The past two finals have been a close affair, with the two sides exchanging wins.

KCB beat Impala 18-17 to lift the title last year, which was a sweet revenge for the bankers, who had lost 33-22 to Impala during the 2016 final.

On Saturday, a classy KCB, fresh from their training tour of South Africa, ran in four tries, two penalties and four conversions to outclass highly-rated Homeboyz 34-10 while Impala weathered a late charge from Strathmore Leos to triumph 20-18 in the two semi-final encounters.

After a 6-0 lead at the break with two penalties from Darwin Mukidza, the bankers would open their try scoring account through Martin Owilah, Ahmed Shaban, Stafford Abeka and Peter Kilonzo. Shaban made three conversions and Isaac Njoroge one.

The Deejays battled to score two unconverted tries through Johnstone Olindi and Evin Asena. Long-time Kenya Sevens player Andrew Amonde of KCB was named Man of the Match.

“We are nowhere near perfection as witnessed in the first half,” warned KCB coach Curtis Olago. “We were grappling with the new structures we are putting in place and we have to be patient, but watch this space.”

Tries from inside centre Paul Mutsami, left winger Billy Omondi and open-side flanker Elvis Oroko and Sammy Oliech's conversion and penalty catapulted Impala, who led 15-3 at the break, to the final.

Albert Obura and right winger Alex Maina touched down in the last seven minutes as scrum-half Gideon Makumi curled over a conversion and three penalties for Leos.

Impala’s director for rugby Fred Ollows warned KCB that they will be coming for revenge.

“KCB looked fit and strong, having added a few new elements to their game. Their offloading approach looked good,” said Ollows noting that Amonde was particular awesome and a joy to watch with his ball-carrying skills besides their substitute scrum-half Samuel Asati, who changed the game in the second half.

However, Ollows said they will also bring their “A” game to the final. “We shall need to make substitutions that will have an impact unlike against Strathmore where our game went down,” explained Ollows.

Meanwhile, Mwamba and Kenya Harlequin will face-off in the Plate final. Mwamba stormed the Plate final after they beat Nondescripts 25-3 while Quins outclassed Nakuru 22-13 in the semis.

Mean Machine from the University of Nairobi beat Catholic University Monks 33-22 to reach the Varsities Championship final.