Kabras knock out Nakuru in Kenya Cup play-offs

Malik Habil of Kabras Sugar (with the ball) struggle past Grefis Onyino of Machine(right) at Nakuru Show ground during the Great Rift 10-Aside Rugby tournament i on 26-03-2016 PHOTOS:BONIFACE THUKU.

Former champions Nakuru RFC are out of the Kenya Cup title chase after they lost by a point in a tough quarter-final clash to Kabras Sugar at Kakamega Showground yesterday.

Kabras Sugar won 16-15 in a pulsating encounter that saw both sides dominate the match in both halves, but it was the sugarmen who had the last laugh.

Kabras Sugar will now meet either league leaders Impala RFC or runners up Kenya Harlequins in a semi-final match to be played in Nairobi on Saturday after Kenya Rugby Union announce the draw for the matches tomorrow.

The sugar men scored a try, three penalties and a conversion, all made by former international Fabian Olando.

Nakuru RFC scored two tries through international Michael Okombe and Charles Odongo with Henry Ayaa scoring a drop ball as Javan Murayi made one conversion.

Despite the loss, Nakuru RFC coach Dominique Habimana praised the contribution of his boys whom he pointed out had given a good account of themselves.

“Yes, we lost to a tough side although it was not our game after all. Despite the loss, we fought like champions and we live to fight for another day,” he told Feverpitch in a post-match interview.

Meanwhile, wingers Jaco Van Wyk and Leolin Zas scored first-half tries as South Africa’s Stormers battled to a scrappy 40-22 Super Rugby victory over Australia’s Reds at Newlands yesterday, add Reuters reports.

Scrumhalf Nic Groom added a third score in the second half, but the visitors were in the game until the final 15 minutes as they bagged tries through flanker Liam Gill, fullback Karmichael Hunt and winger Eto Nabuli.

Three penalties from replacement flyhalf Brandon Thomson, on his Super Rugby debut, and a late try from prop Vincent Koch sealed the game for the hosts, however, and ensured the Reds would have only one victory after nine rounds.