KCB hand resilient Quins second loss as MMUST lose to Nakuru

KCB and Harlequins during a Kenya Cup match at RFUAE grounds on Saturday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Martine Owila scored a brace as KCB held off a spirited second half comeback fight by Kenya Harlequins to narrowly win 35-32 in a tight Kenya Cup match played at the RFUEA.

Stephen Osumba gave KCB a 3-0 lead from the penalty before missing to convert Peter Waitere’s try minutes later as the bankers stretched their lead to 8-0.

An infringement by KCB saw Quins awarded a penalty that Evin Asena drilled to reduce the gap to five points before Martin Owila’s converted try extended KCB’s lead to 15-3.

Asena would drill in Quins second penalty before Owila completed his brace as KCB took a healthy 22-6 lead at the break.

Quins open the second half with a converted try from Xavier Kipng'etich with Asena adding the extras. KCB landed their bonus point try via Mickey Wanjala’s unconverted try as they lead 27-13.

Joshua Chisanga reduced the deficit to seven points with Quins second try of the match before Mark Wandetto added another one to reduced the scores to 25-27.

Darwin Mukidza’s penalty and Cabrine Muhanga’s late try would dent Quins comeback dream as KCB held on to win 35-32 with Chisanga going over the whitewash for Quins last try of the match.

John Okoth (right) of Nakuru RFC battles with Jadah Abdon of MMUST RFC during the Kenya Cup match played at Nakuru Athletics Club on March 6,2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

With the bonus-point win, KCB have taken their point tally to 10 as they dislodge Menengai Oilers from second position on the standings while Quins move to sixth having picked a losing bonus point.

In the earlier match, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad battled from 12-0 down to force a 12-12 draw with Menengai Oilers.

Beldad Ogeta’s unconverted try had given Oilers a 5-0 lead before Austin Sikutwa’s try and Geoffrey Ominde’s conversion saw the visitors lead 12-0 with 30 minutes to play.

Blak Blad then responded through a try by Humphrey Litali that was converted by Kelvin Gathu who finished the match as a hero with his late try tying the game at 12-12.

In Nakuru, last minute two penalties was all Nakuru RFC needed to put the match beyond MMUST to win 23-10 in at Nakuru Athletic Club.

Samuel Mwaura was clinical with the two penalties after MMUST had piled pressure on Nakuru in the second half.

The result ensured Nakuru collected their second victory of the season having beaten Blak Blad 13-8 at the same venue last weekend.

Kenya Cup Results:

Blak Blad12-12 Menengai Oilers

Kenya Harlequin 32-35 KCB FT

Strathmore Leos 9-35 Kabras Sugar

Top Fry Nakuru 23-10 MMUST