Rugby: Kenya Cup defending champs move to the top of table

By BS MULAVI and JONATHAN KOMEN

A KCB player goes for the try as a Mean Machine player closes in at their Kenya Cup match at the University of Nairobi grounds, on Saturday. [JENNIFER WACHIE: STANDARD]

Nakuru RFC stormed to the top of the Kenya Cup with an emphatic 70-24 hammering of Eldoret RFC at the Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday.

The Rift Valley side survived an early scare to overturn a 17-5 deficit to emerge victorious.

Conversion specialist Allan Odiyo was the man of the match as he was executed his task well.

Speaking after the victory, Nakuru coach Dominique Habimana said: “We started off poorly because the boys had not adapted to the conditions on the ground as fast as we would have wanted. But as soon as we settled, we took control of the game.

“They have a much smaller pitch and play with much zeal at home, which makes it a difficult place to visit,” he said. “They are bound to cause some upsets in the league this season at home.

huge victory

“We are glad that we were able to register such a huge second victory and now that we are at the top of the league, our mission is to stay there for the rest of the season” he added.

Meanwhile, Nondies registered their second straight victory in the league with a 22-3 victory over neighbours Impala RFC at the Impala grounds.

The white shirts are having a dream start to the league, having reached the finals of the Impala Floodlit tournament followed by two victories in the league against very competitive sides.

According to Nondies coach Kanyi Gitonga, their victory was due to the discipline of the team, in the setpieces and in defending.

“Against Impala we got back to mean defending and played very well,” he said.                                                                 “This was an important win for us because Impala are a good team and they will definitely cause some major upsets in the league this season,” he said.

“The gap between the top teams in the league has been shortened with the exception of the sides that have been promoted, so teams should expect some very tough competition in the league this season,” he added.

The other big weekend victors were Mwamba RFC who travelled to Kisumu to play against the hosts.

The black shirts moved to third position in the league with a 43-3 victory over Kisumu RFC, with Strathmore taking the number two position in the league behind Nakuru.

Kenya Cup results: Impala 3 Nondies 22, Eldoret 24 Top Fry Nakuru 70, Mean Machine 3 KCB 17, Kisumu 3 Mwamba 43, Blak Blad 5 Strathmore Leos 20, Homeboyz 58 Mombasa 6.

Eric Shirley Shield results: Western Bulls II 24 Quins II 8, Mean Machine II 0 KCB II 99, Eldoret II 0 Nakuru II 50, Homeboyz II 46 Mombasa II 7, Impala II 39 Nondies II 5, Blak Blad II 3 Strathmore II 22, Kisumu II 0, Mwamba II 39.

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