KCB tackle Kabras Sugar as five teams battle to avoid relegation

Kabras Sugar scrum half Brian Tanga (center) is tackled by KCB players during a past match at Nandi Bears Club., [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Defending champions KCB Rugby renew their rivalry with Kabras Sugar today as curtains fall in the 2021-2022 Kenya Cup regular season.

The eight-time champions face an unbeaten Kabras side who have won all their matches and lead the standings with a perfect 50 points heading into the season finale.

Unlike previous seasons, this year’s derby will have no impact on the log for the two top sides and will be played for bragging rights because the Kakamega-based side is already assured of top spot. Kabras are six points ahead of KCB.

The bankers are second on 44 points and even if they defeat the sugar millers with a bonus point victory, they cannot overtake them, which means Kabras Sugar will host the final for the third consecutive time (2019, 2021, 2022).

Despite that, KCB captain Curtis Lilako said they will use the game to gauge themselves before the playoffs.

KCB have already booked a semi-final date with Menengai Oilers as Kabras Sugar is set to meet Strathmore Leos in the other semi-final.

“We have played well, we didn’t meet some of our targets but having a home semifinal shows that we have ticked a few of the right boxes.

“Our approach is always one game at a time. We aim to play in the correct areas and look for any points that will be available,” said Lilako.

Kabras assistant coach Edwin Achayo on the other hand is happy with their performance this season which was totally built on youth and experience.

“We have played considerably well though we always believe we can get better. We managed to blood in a lot on youngsters this season so we are happy about that. While not our most clinical in terms of points scored we are happy to have collected wins in all the matches.

“t’s KCB so there’s always going to be a lot of hype around this fixture. However both of teams have qualified for the playoffs already so it offers a chance to fine tune a few things here and there before the semis,” Achayo said.

Meanwhile, more focus will be at the bottom half of the table where it will be down to arithmetic with five teams battling to avoid relegation.

A quartet of former champions namely Kenya Harlequin, Resolution Impala Saracens, Nondescript and Topfry Nakuru as well as former National Sevens Circuit champions Homeboyz all have their necks on the line.

Quins, who have 17 points, followed by Nakuru (16), Homeboyz (15), Nondies (15) and Impala Saracens (12) must win their last matches to have hopes of remaining in the top flight league.

Two teams will be relegated from the league upon completion of the regular season with the top four proceeding to the semi-final playoffs.

At Jamhuri Grounds, Homeboyz face Nondies in a clash that will play a major role in the relegation battle as Impala Saracens host MMUST at Impala Club.