Nakuru RFC eye redemption in Kenya Cup tie

Nakuru RFU Philip Owuor (left) is challenged by Davis Chenge of KCB during Kenya Cup tournament match against KCB at KCB Sports club on Nov 9, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Two-time champions host fellow strugglers Quins in bottom of the table clash today.

Nakuru RFC are seeking to end a string of frustrating results as they host fellow strugglers Kenya Harlequin in a Kenya Cup round four match at the Nakuru Athletic Club today.

Nakuru, back-to-back Kenya Cup champions in 2013 and 2014, find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they occupy last position on the standings while their opponents today are one position above them with both sides still searching for their first win of the 2019-20 season.

The match will see Quins coach Dominique Habimana reunite with his former employers with the trainer hoping his charges put the loss to Western Bulls behind them as they face a Nakuru side that is equally reeling from defeat having received a 50-13 hiding from KCB in their last outing.

Habimana was left dejected last weekend as he saw his charges squander a 19-0 half-time advantage to lose 21-19 to the newly promoted Bulls.

Quins boast of a superior head to head record against Nakuru in recent times with the Ngong Road-based side having won four of the last six meetings.

However, they have their work clearly cut out after suffering 43-14 and 14-10 defeats in their last two visits to Nakuru. The sides last clashed in the quarter-finals of the Impala Floodlit pre-season tournament in September where Habimana’s men emerged 20-14 winners.

“Quins are a very good side in terms of set-pieces and they have experienced backs and we expect a push and pull because it won’t be easy,” Nakuru coach Felix Oloo said following their loss to KCB.

Oloo, who is also the Kenya women’s Sevens and 15s coach, said they will not make a lot of changes despite the poor run of form.

Meanwhile, Nakuru’s cross-town neighbours Menenegai Oilers, who relinquished their unbeaten run with a 25-20 loss away to Homeboyz last weekend, host champions KCB at the Nakuru Showground starting 4pm.

With Oilers in their second season in the top flight, their isn’t much history between the sides as they have faced off only twice in the Kenya Cup with the bankers winning both contests.

Their recent meeting was at the Floodlit event, a match which Oilers, under the tutelage of former Kenya Sevens half-back Gibson Weru, gave a good account of themselves before losing  23-14 in a hotly contested final.

League leaders Kabras Sugar face Nondescripts at the Jamhuri Showground, seeking to extend their defensive prowess as they are yet to concede a try in three matches.