Kabras Sugar, MMUST win to maintain perfect start

Shem Angugo (center) of Kabras Sugar battles with Nakuru RFC players during the Kenya Cup match played at Nakuru Athletics Club in Nakuru on December 4, 2021.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Last season’s runners up Kabras Sugar and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) maintained their perfect start to the 2021-2022 Kenya Cup season after seeing off their opponents yesterday.

Kabras Sugar thrashed hosts Nakuru 31-3 at the Nakuru Athletic Club while MMUST saw off a resilient Homeboyz side 22-17 at the university grounds in Kakamega.

The sugar millers ran in five tries to pick a bonus win in Nakuru that sees them remain top on 10 points.

Kabras started the match on the front foot after taking an early 7-0 lead through South African fly-half Ntabeni Dukisa who crossed over and converted his own try.

Scrum-half Dan Angwech stretched the lead to 12-0 with Dukisa failing to convert as the Kakamega-based outfit went to the break with a slender lead.

In the final half, Keith Embaga crossed over with Dukisa adding the extras for a 19-0 lead before Nakuru scored a penalty for 19-3 score line.

The visitors sealed the win after forwards Teddy Akala and Hillary Mwanjiwa landed the fourth and fifth try for the sugar men.

In Kakamega, MMUST registered the second win in Kenya Cup beating Homeboyz 22-17.

The students were riding high on their season opener comeback win over Nondies last weekend and did not disappoint again against heavyweights Homeboyz which assistant coach John Asila lauded.

Speaking to the Standard Sports after the match, Asila said it is just the beginning of a successful year for the Kakamega-based university team.

“This is MMUST. Many people have been writing us off because of our inexperience but guess what; we are here to compete with the best.

“We played very well against a very experienced side and I am glad the belief among our players is growing game by game. Despite all the challenges and considering majority of the players are still students, it is amazing how we are growing and congratulations to all the players,” said Asila.

At Impala Club, Oilers registered their first win of the campaign after seeing off hosts Impala Saracens 28-10 while Strathmore University thrashed Mwamba 38-18 at the same grounds.

Kenya Harlequins on the other side saw off Nondies 24-6.

Meanwhile, the match pitting defending champions KCB and Blak Blad was postponed due to technical hitches at the Kenyatta University grounds. 

Additional reporting by Ben Ahenda