KCB BANK VITAL POINTS: Former champions dislodge Quins from second spot in rankings

KENYA CUP- RUGBY Donald Oluoch (left) of Nakuru RFC battles for the ball with Peter Kilonzo of KCB during the Kenya Cup match played at Nakuru Athletics club on January 14,2016. KCB won 28 -11 .PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Former champions Kenya Commercial Bank put up a commendable show over the weekend, which will prove vital, ahead of the Kenya Cup semifinal play-offs.

The bankers rallied from behind to beat hosts Kenya Harlequin 29-26 and with that, sustained their hopes of making it to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

KCB (61 points) came from 15-26 down to beat Quins (60) and dislodge them from the second spot ahead of next weekend’s season-ender.

It was a perfect comeback for KCB after they lost 27-24 to Ngong Road rivals Impala last weekend.

KCB got an early lead through Felix Ojoo unconverted try, but David Muhanji cancelled it with an unconverted try.

Darwin Mukidza successfully scored a penalty for the bankers, but converted tries from Wilson Kopondo and Paul Kioko saw the hosts lead 19-8 at halftime.

The bankers knew they had to do something and when they resumed for the second half, it was all clear. They were a more rejuvenated side.

They dominated possession with ease and had great command of the ball. The turnovers were far in between. They were now playing at the former champions. And for the trouble, they were rewarded with 21points across the Quins’ half.

Peter Waitere grounded a converted try to reduce the deficit, but Patrick Agunda’s try, which Kevin Keegan converted, extended Quins’ lead to 26-15.

A penalty to KCB at the opponent’s five-metre line saw James Kilonzo run straight to score next to the post and when Mukidza converted, the bankers were slowly, but surely, crawling back into the match; 22-26 in favour of Quins.

Ojoo got his second try of the day in the dying minutes as KCB led 27-26 before Mukidza confirmed victory with a successful conversion to make matters 29-26 after the final whistle.

Meanwhile, league leaders Homeboyz inched closer to an automatic Kenya Cup semifinal spot with a 44-17 thrashing of their hosts Nakuru RFC, while champions Kabras Sugar bounced back from a defeat to beat Impala 29-26 in Kakamega.

Tries from Michael Wanjala, Steve Otieno, Cyprian Kuto, Jeff Oluoch, Keith Wasike and Stanley Isogol saw the deejays take their points to 64 ahead of season finale against Nondescripts.

Despite the defeat, Impala maintained their fourth place on the log (53) after bagging two bonus points against Kabras, who also retained their fifth spot (51).

Mwamba also stayed in hunt for play-offs qualification after defeating Strathmore 18-5.