Steeve Sargos : The Lion KingMedia Release: Kenya Cup Match Day Nine
- Monday, 06 February 2012 12:15
The 2011-2012 Kenya Cup continued to produce interesting results, hosts Kisumu RFC, bottom of the table heading into match day nine stunning Nondescripts RUFC 28-25 at the Kisumu Polytechnic,
Mean Machine pulling off a 26-20 result over Impala RFC at the University of Nairobi grounds while Mwamba RFC stayed top of the standings with a 41-9 away win over Homeboyz RFC at the Jamhuri Park on Saturday 4 February 2012.
Trailing 18-16 with barely minutes to play at the Impala Club, Kenny Andola’s last gasp goal attempt saw the Strathmore Leos pull off a 19-18 win over visiting Nakuru RFC, a result that saw them return to second, swapping places with Kenya Commercial Bank who fell to a 22-15 away loss to Lunch Bar Quins at the RFUEA.
The match between defending league champs Quins and KCB was the weekend’s top bill and both sides began this fixture tentatively, engaging each other cautiously but it was Quins who made the first foray into their opponents territory, camping on the bankers five but Fabian Olando eased the pressure, booting the ball for touch. KCB would regain possession from the resulting line out, winger Darwin Mukidza stepping past his marker but losing the ball after being unable to field his punt over an on rushing Quins player. The home team would enter KCB territory, winning a penalty off a infringement with Dennis Muhanji putting it over, the score board reading Lunch Bar Quins 3 Kenya Commercial Bank 0.
KCB would dominate from the restart, first going for goal off a Quins infringement but Olando’s attempt sailed wide. Still in possession, they would attack, mauling on the home team’s try line, setting up the platform for their backs to spread the ball but they couldn’t penetrate and were caught out, Isaac Adimo’s big kick turning the tide as Quins entered KCB territory, winning a penalty off an another infringement. Quins would attack with Kenya lock Tony Mutai touching down under the posts. Muhanji’s conversion taking the score to 10-0. Mukidza would finally ground the ball for KCB, his unconverted try at the stroke of half time taking the scores to 10-5.
Second half action saw Willy Ambaka stretch the hosts lead, his try putting Lunch Bar Quins 15-5 up before KCB scrum half Collins Kimani broke from a scrum down in midfield, engaging on a nippy, searching run before offloading to winger Sebastian Shivoka who grounded in the corner, making the game a five pointer as Quins led 15-10.
Ambaka would land his brace, a sublime finish, fielding Tusker Man of the Match* Adimo’s cross kick and touching down at the corner with Victor Sudi converting for a 22-10 lead.
With timing winding down, KCB threw on Kenya scrum half Peter Mutai, as they tried to keep in touch with their hosts. Their drive saw them rewarded with a try after a period of sustained pressure, veteran prop Arthur Shikwe touching down, his try earning KCB a bonus point for losing by seven or less points.
Final Score: Lunch Bar Quins 22 Kenya Commercial Bank 15
*This weekend also saw the Tusker Man of the Match award roll out to include all five Kenya Cup fixtures with other players being rewarded as well.
Collated Kenya Cup Results
Mean Machine RFC 26 Impala RFC 20
Kisumu RFC 28 Nondescript RUFC 25
Strathmore Leos 19 Nakuru RFC 18
Homeboyz RFC 9 Mwamba RFC 41
Lunch Bar Quins 22 Kenya Commercial Bank 15
Released by KRU Media & Communications
