KCB and Kabras maintain perfect start in Kenya Cup

Kabras Sugar's Kelvin Kabole (right) fends off Impala Saracens' Nato Simiyu during their Kenya Cup match on January 27, 2018 at Impala Club in Nairobi. Kabras won 33-17. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Defending champions KCB were true in their executions, bludgeoning in six tries to silence visiting Kenya Harlequin 43-17 at Ruaraka.
  • The bankers led 22-0 at the break.

Kabras Sugar and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) on Saturday turned on the style, crushing their opponents to uphold their unbeaten runs in Kenya Cup.

Charles Cardovillis’ Kabras Sugar, the 2016 champions, staged a scintillating all-round display, touching down five tries as they chalked up a bonus point in their 33-17 victory over struggling Impala Saracens at the Impala Sports Club in Nairobi.

Defending champions KCB were true in their executions, bludgeoning in six tries to silence visiting Kenya Harlequin 43-17 at Ruaraka. The bankers led 22-0 at the break.

Tries from skipper and eighth man Maxwell Adaka, flanker Kevin Kabole, left wing Paul Abuto, flanker George Nyambua and right wing Felix Ayange and four conversions by fly-half Kevin Keegan saw the sugar millers stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Impala Saracens, who trailed 12-0 at the break, managed two tries via fly-half Nato Simiyu and substitute Samuel Motari as full-back Vincent Mose converted both and added a penalty.

Kabras Sugar stayed second in the log but with an improved tally of 33 points while KCB, who also claimed their seventh consecutive win, held on to their top spot with 34 points.

The defeat heaped more misery on Quins, who were coming off a defeat by Impala the previous weekend.

HOMEBOYZ EDGE MWAMBA

Homeboyz moved one place up to third at the expense of Impala after they edged out Mwamba 29-14 at Jamhuri Park show grounds. Emmanuel Mavala, Alvin Otieno, Leonard Mugaisi and Michael Wanjala scored a try each for Homeboyz. Mohammed Omollo managed two penalties while Alvin Asena one penalty for the Deejays.

At Ruaraka, hooker Peter Karia, fullback Darwin Mukidza, eighthman Peter Waitere, prop Curtis Lilako, second-row Nick Ongeri and fly-half Shaban Ahmed scored a try apiece for KCB, who are also the Enterprise Cup and Impala Floodlit champions.

Mukidza romped back with five conversions and a penalty against Quins, who scored three tries through substitute Isaac Adimo, David Ambunya and Alex Olaba. Aaron Afoyrwoth made one conversion.

“We were solid at our set-pieces and that is what win big matches like this,” said Cardovillis, adding that they executed their systems well to halt Impala’s moves. “Some two lapses gave them their tries but I am generally happy. We tried to change with some good flow.”

Impala coach Frank Ndong said they had a horrendous start especially the first 20 minutes where Kabras scored two tries. “We just failed to recover even after some good show in the second half. Complacency cost us,” said Ndong.