Papa, Kifaru for final: Heavyweights eye top prize in Bamburi Series top billing

It is not enough to just have a big body, muscles and strength; the game of rugby requires speed and skill. The ability to make the right runs, right positioning and adhere to coaching instructions.  To go by what was witnessed at the semi-finals of Bamburi Rugby Super Series, then the creators of the film, ‘Run Fatboy Run’ must have had some local rugby players in their mind.

The two games played at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, presented a perfect platform to separate real boys from men. The first match of the day was between Bollore Chui and Papa Nguvu. Within the first ten minutes of the game, coach Enos Otieno’s boys were reduced to mere spectators as Papa Nguvu roared.

Nguvu Papa took an early lead through a Peter Kepher penalty, minutes later extending their lead after a good run of play that gave Elphas Etemesi the chance to make a superb try.

They extended their lead by 18 minutes to 18-0 after a try by Allan Omuka, converted by Kepher and a penalty from the latter. Chui forced an infringement on Papa, which got them a penalty that George Okowa capitalised to give them three points.

A spirited comeback by Bollore Chui proved a minute too late, as they lost 30-23 to Papa.

“We made blunders in the first half but you could see that the second half was a Chui affair with Brian Beckam making the final try, converted by Okowa. We now go back to the drawing board and focus on the young lads,” explained Chui’s head coach Enos Otieno.

The second match was a thriller and an edge-of the-seat affair between UAP Kifaru and defending Champions Ndovu. Kifaru gave the defending champions a run for their money from the start with a penalty. The two sides tussled as the crowd cheered in a match that saw Kifaru scrum-half George Mutuku  stretchered off the pitch. By full time, both teams were locked up in a 19 all deadlock forcing the match to extra time.

A scrumdown ball was won by Ndovu’s Kelvin Omiyo but Kifaru still called the shots even after Ndovu’s scrumdown. A knock-on gave Kifaru the turnover. Ndovu won subsequent scrum to end the first half of extra time without a score.

 After the break, Kifaru won a penalty which Harun Kisia kicked converted to send Kifaru crowd into rapturous celebration.

Erick Ogweno, Kifaru’s team manager spoke on behalf of their coach who was lost for words, “They are the defending champions, they are worthy opponents. At the end of the day the best team won, Kifaru.The game was awesome,  think the effort we put in training has paid off. We are the only side that trained for four days in a week,” explained Ogweno.

Kenya Rugby Union Vice Chairman Philip Jalang’o applauded the effort of the fan who turned up for the encounters, saying, “The fact that today Kenya hosted two rugby tournaments, one in Machakos and the other in Kitui shows how fast the game has grown. We look forward to even hosting more matches outside Nairobi.”

The finals will be played at the RFUEA grounds next Saturday.