The going gets tough: Strathmore sweat to beat Blak Blad as Impala register maiden Kenya Cup season win against Homeboyz

Gem Dennis (with ball) of Mombasa Sports Club is tackled by Strathmore Leos rugby players during a Kenya Cup League match played at the MSC over the weekend, Monday November 10, 2014. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Strathmore coach Mitch Ocholla has tipped Kenya Cup to be more competitive this season.

Ocholla was speaking after his team was made to sweat  for their 35-15 victory over Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad at the University of Nairobi, yesterday.

In what was expected to be a one-sided match between a top four side from last season and a team that was facing relegation, Strathmore found themselves trailing 15-14 by the stroke of halftime.

Ocholla’s side had to dig deep in the second half to eventually score and to pull away from Blak Blad.

“From the nature of play I have witnessed today, I can definitely say that the league will be much more competitive as I was witnessed today,”  Ocholla told FeverPitch.

NO PUSHOVER

“Kenyatta University will be no pushover side this season because they play with a lot of determination; that is something deep down within the players.

“They (Blak Blad) were a tactical side and I don’t think we should dwell too much on the score, but rather what my boys learned from this experience as we progress further into the league,” he added.

PRAISED OPPONENTS

Even though Ocholla was full of praise for the opponents, he reserved the highest accolades for his side, whom he were able to overcome the opposition for their second straight time in the league.

“I think the weather also played a big role on how we played, but we got the result we wanted and we now look ahead to our match against Mean Machine next weekend,” he added.

Ocholla went on to praise the new format of the league where two games are played at the same venue, allowing the other teams to watch the rest.

Meanwhile, Impala RFC registered their first win of the league with a 45-7 drubbing of Homeboyz RFC on Friday night at the Impala grounds.

Kabras Sugar continued with their impressive fight going down 10-13 to defending champions Nakuru at the Kakamega High School yesterday afternoon.

In the other match of the weekend at the University of Nairobi, Kenya Harlequins registered their second victory in the league with a 33-5 hammering of the hosts Mean Machine.

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