Nakuru remain top as Kenyatta University Blak Blad ease relegation woes with win over Mean Machine

Strathmore's Elton Isiaho, left, is supported by his colleague Malik Ndeni after missing a throw in ball as Humphrey Mulama and Daniel Abuonji of Homeboyz organized by Kenya Rugby Union at KCB Grounds Ruaraka on Saturday, January 17th, 2015. Photo/Jonah Onyango.

Defending Kenya Cup champions Nakuru RFC maintained their position at the top of the table with a hard fought 36-29 victory over Nondies at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday afternoon.

The champions got a rude shock from Nondies whose intentions to cause the upset, could be seen from the first whistle. The White shirts were first to score, which meant Nakuru had to chase the game for most of the first half.

However, they eventually scored two quick tries, to create the impression that they would control the game from this juncture. This was, however, not to be as Nondies kept replying.

Nondies played to their strength in the line-outs and mauls, whereas Nakuru dominated the scrum downs and open play. Each time Nakuru played more than three phases, Nondies were caught napping at the wings.

Nondies, however, capitalised on three massive mauls to score three crucial tries.

Nondies got two bonus points for losing the match by a margin of less than seven points and for scoring more than four tries.

While Nakuru got the maximum five points for winning and scoring more than four tries.

In the other fixtures of the weekend, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad won their university derby against University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine by a 30-13 margin.

The victory will be pivotal for Blak Blad who are fighting to get out of the relegation zone where they leave Mean Machine.

Meanwhile Impala made good of their promise to thrash Mombasa RFC whom they beat 84-6 in a one-sided match.

This was one of the largest margin scores of the weekend, with the other big win being Kenya Harlequin beating Catholic Monks 94-13 at the Impala grounds for the Friday night fixture.