Homeboyz set up Floodlit semi-final against KCB

Alvin Otieno (left) of Homeboyz battles out with a Menengai Oilers player during the Prinsloo sevens at Nakuru Athletics Club on August 18, 2019. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Homeboyz enhanced their chances of clinching their maiden Floodlit title following a hard-earned 23-14 win over Nondescripts in the quarter-final at the Impala Club over the weekend. 

As a result, the Deejays, as Homeboyz are popularly known, set up a tough semi-final against champions KCB this weekend.

The bankers were the first side to book a spot in the semi-finals following a convincing 53-15 win over Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad.

Despite the huge win, KCB captain Rocky Aguko said they are nowhere near perfect as they prepare to renew their rivalry with Homeboyz coached by South African Hector Jason.

“We hope to improve our match fitness a game at a time because we have not played for a long period. I believe we will be much better in the semi-finals,” said Aguko, who scored one of his team’s tries against the students.

“We definitely want to defend the title but we are taking a game at a time. Everyone in the tournament obviously wants to dethrone us so we’ll try and work on our fitness,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nakuru-based Menengai Oilers caused the only upset in the quarter finals as they edged hosts Impala Saracens 26-23 in a match decided in sudden death following a 23-23 tie in regulation time.

Austin Sikutwa was the hero for Oilers as he struck the decisive penalty to send Gibson Weru’s charges to their first semi final.

The loss prolonged Impala’s wait for the Floodlit title which they last won in 2016 and it also saw their newly appointed coach Mitch Ocholla start his reign at the Ngong Road outfit on a sour note.

Oilers will now clash with Kenya Harlequin in the semi finals after the latter saw off a spirited Nakuru RFC 19-14 in the quarter finals.

In the universities category, Strathmore will play USIU after both sides picked quarter-final wins against the Technical University of Kenya and Swara, who are Impala’s second-string side.

The other semi final tie will see defending champions University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine face Catholic University of Eastern Africa(CUEA). Machine thumped Daystar 41-11 in the quarter finals as CUEA thrashed KCA 17-13.

By Stephen Rutto 54 mins ago
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