Rugby: Strathmore show off depth to topple Kenyatta

By BS MULAVI

Mean Machine and KCB players in action, yesterday. [PHOTO: JENNIFER WACHIE/ STANDARD]

Strathmore RFC endured a tumultuous battle at Kenyatta University to emerge 20-5 victors over hosts Blak Blad in the Kenya Cup on Sartuday.

In a weekend that saw over 42 players excluded from club duties because of national team commitments, Strathmore RFC had to contend with the crop of players they had to battle for a slender victory.

Speaking to FeverPitch after the victory Strathmore coach Mitch Ocholla claimed it was going to be  a hard season.

“We did not have the services of seven players who were called to either the national 15s squad or the 7s squad and that definitely changed our approach to the game,” he said.

“As Strathmore we have made a commitment to honor all fixtures because we want rugby to win at the end of the day,” he said.

 “Kenya Harlequin have not played today against Western Bulls because they missed most of their players but as Strathmore, that is not the direction we are taking,” he said. “We have players who can come in and we will give them a try,” he added.

“We struggled today because our whole first team back row was not available, but we have still registered the victory nevertheless and we will continue playing to the best of our ability,” he said.

“We have not lost as many players as Quins did to the Kenya Team, but maybe that is something that we need to agree with the Kenya Rugby Union in the future so that we know which teams will be in action in the local leagues when the national team is on duty,” he added.

Blak blad who were not affected by the national team assignments, will be annoyed that they did not take the opportunity to post a better result.

The university side failed to be competitive in the setpieces against Strathmore and were only recognized in the second half, when the game was in open play for the last twenty minutes of the game.

Blak Blad coach Michael Otieno however remains confident they might just upset the defending champs Nakuru next weekend. Other results: Blak Blad 5-20 Strathmore, Mean Machine 3-17 KCB, Impala 3-22 Nondies, Homeboyz 58-6 Mombasa, Eldoret 24-61 Nakuru, Kisumu 3-43 Mwamba,” he said. –[e-mail]