Rugby: KCB bank Impala to reach Enterprise Cup finals

KCB's Smith Muhoya during Enterprise Cup Semifinals at Impala Club on Saturday, April 2, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

KCB on Saturday had to dig deep to reach the 2022 Enterprise Cup final after narrowly edging out a stubborn Impala Saracens 20-18 in a closely contested semifinals played at Impala Club.

The bankers scored two converted tries and two penalties to glide through to the finals for the first time since 2017.

It was a repeat of the 2019 semi-final encounter which Impala Saracens won 11-10 before proceeding to lose Kabras Sugar in the finals.

The two sides were also scheduled to face off in the 2020 semi-final but the clash was scrapped off due to coronavirus.

In the match, Smith Muhoya scored two early penalties to give the bankers an early 6-0 lead before Quinto Ongo replied with Impala’s two penalties which tied the scores 6-6 at half time.

In the final half, KCB once again took the lead after Peter Waitere landed the semifinal’s first try of the match that was converted by Smith Muhoya for a 13-6 lead.

Moments later, Impala fought back through Billy Arigi who crossed the whitewash and Quinto Ongo added the extras for them to level the scores at 13-13.

KCB reclaimed the lead again when Elphas Adunga touched down the second try which stretched the bankers lead to 20-13 after substitute Shaban Ahmed’s conversion.

Five minutes to full time, Paul Mutsami pulled back with try for Impala but the conversion attempt which would have tied the scores at 20-20 fell short.

KCB held off Impala for the slim 20-18 win.

KCB will now face Kabras Sugar in the finals. The sugar men eliminated Homeboyz following a 37-11 victory in Kakamega.