MAKING HISTORY: Homeboyz, KCB secure semis ticket as Machine get relegated

Nakuru RFC VS Homeboys Crispin Onyango (left) of Nakuru RFC battles for the ball with a Menegai Homeboyz player during Kenya cup match played at Nakuru Athletics club in Nakuru on March 18,2017.Homeboyz won 44- 17.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Homeboyz RFC and Kenya Commercial Bank secured home semifinal qualification at the close of the Kenya Cup’s League phase over the weekend.

The Deejays sailed through for the first time in history after rallying from a 14-25 deficit to tie 28-28 with Nondescripts at Jamhuri Park. The result saw the Paul Murunga-coached side top the Kenya Cup log with 67 points by virtue of landing four tires for a bonus point, one more than KCB, who posted a bonus point 25-18 win over Mwamba in Ruaraka.

“This is a great and historic achievement for the boys. They have been consistent since the beginning of the year and I am happy we have qualified for the semis,” said Murunga.

“We are not going to sit on our laurels. The focus now shifts to the semis.”

Kulabu, lying sixth heading into this fixture, posted a bonus point that saw them stay sixth, hence earning a place in the playoffs after seventh-ranked Nakuru failed to garner the all-important bonus point in their 21-12 win over relegated Mean Machine.

The loss in Nakuru brought to an end Machine’s 40 year-stint in topflight rugby.

Kenya Harlequins thrashed Strathmore 72-5 but that was not enough to see them secure a top two finish as their Ngong Road rivals Impala confirmed fourth slot with a 57-18 over Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad.

Champions Kabras Sugar finished fifth after seeing over rivals Western Bulls 30-14, a result that condemned the Bulls to next season’s second tier Kenya Rugby Union Championship.

Meanwhile, champions Kabras Sugar and Impala will face off in a repeat of last year’s Kenya Cup final when the two clash in the quarter finals on April 1.

The other quarters will see Kenya Harlequin battle with Mwamba. The winner will take on former champions KCB in the semifinals as the victors in the first quarter tackle Homeboyz on April 8.