KCB CLOSE TO TITLE: As KRU narrows down to five candidates for Sevens job

KCB's Marlin Mukolwe (left) is challenged by Chalton Mukua of Nakuru during their at Impala Club on Saturday, Oct 8, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya Commercial Bank are one match away from winning their fourth consecutive Impala Floodlit title after beating a resilient Nakuru 28-26 in yesterday’s thrilling semifinal at the Impala Sports Club.

The bankers will now meet the winners between rivals Impala and Kenya Harlequin, who were due to face off in the second semis last night, in the Cup finals on Saturday.

“It wasn’t an easy one. We had to dig deep, complacency would have cost us the match. But I am proud of the boys’ fighting spirit,” said a relieved KCB coach Dennis Mwanja.

Darwin Mukidza put the ahead through a penalty before he passed the ball to Stafford Abeka for the centre to make the champions’ first unconverted try.

Mukidza would then kick over a penalty to extend KCB’s lead to 11-0 before his captain Andrew Amonde grounded a converted try to make the scores 18-0.

Mike Okombe then pulled an unconverted try for Wanyore before Edwin Okemwa reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime with another unconverted try.

Okemwa would score his second unconverted try to make the scores 18-15 before Mukidza his third penalty for KCB to go up 21-15.

Nakuru capitalised on numerical advantage via Geoffrey Ominde’s penalty to reduce the deficit (28-21) after KCB captain Andrew Amonde was sent to the sin bin. Phillip Kome would score another unconverted try for Nakuru just before the hooter to make the final scores 28-26.

Homeboyz qualified for the Plate finals after beating Mwamba 30-22 as Strathmore stunned Blak Blad 38-29 to set up a mouthwatering final.

Menengai Oilers beat deposed champions USIU 25-8 to book a final date with Blak Blad II in the University’s category.

Blakblad II stunned Catholic Monks 29-20 to sail through.

In the schools’ category, champions Laiser Hill Academy and Ofafa Jericho beat their respective semis opponents to set up a repeat of last year’s finals.

Laiser demolished Lenana School 61-6 as Ofafa humiliated Thika High 44-0 in yesterday’s semifinals at the Impala club.

Meanwhile, Kenya Sevens’ hunt for next Men’s team head coach has been narrowed down to five candidates, Feverpitch can reveal.

According to Kenya Rugby Union’s Director of National Squads and Elite Performance Oscar Mango, the search appears to be near to an end with battle now between the local coaches.

Six locals (Benjamin Ayimba, Nick Abok, Innocent Simiyu, Mitch Ocholla, Paul Murunga and Charles Cardovillis) had applied for the post that had attracted fifteen candidates after the post was advertised by KRU following the expiry of immediate former coach Ayimba’s contract.

“What I can say is that list has been trimmed down to five and it is a tight contest between the local coaches. I can’t reveal the names without mailing the unsuccessful applicants,” said Mango.

Elsewhere, the 2016/17 Kenya Cup season has been pushed back from October 22 to November 5.