Rugby: KCB maintain pressure on Kenya Cup leaders Kabras

Samuel Were (right) of Menengai Oilers battles for the ball with Peter Kilonzo of KCB during the Kenya cup match at Nakuru ASK Show ground on November 16,2019.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

The Nakuru-based side remained in the playoffs bracket after overcoming Blak Blad at the weekend.

Fresh from defeating Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in the Kenya Cup, Menengai Oilers have now turned attention to their round eight fixture against Kisumu RFC.

Saturday’s 25-15 victory against the students, Oilers’ fourth of the campaign, took their points tally to 19 as the Nakuru-based side remained in the playoffs bracket (top six) and coach Weru is wary of their next opponents Kisumu RFC despite the returnees’ struggles.

Kisumu, who suffered their sixth loss of the campaign at home against Homeboyz, are currently rooted to the bottom of the 12-team standings with four points after seven rounds of matches. 

“They (Kisumu) have so much unpredictability so it will be a tough fixture. You can’t know really on what to expect from them; they can kick, run and carry the ball so it won’t be easy,” said Weru.

“We’ll be making sure that we maintain our systems and make sure that we control the match from the first whistle.”

“We have come from a very bad spell of three losses in a row and that really affected our confidence so getting two straight wins especially on the road is a good thing. We shall continue working on our weaknesses and ensure we are good in all aspects of the game,” added Weru, whose side has collected 19 points so far.

At the same time, KCB returned to winning ways as they beat Mwamba 29-15 at the Nairobi Railway Club to maintain the chase on league leaders Kabras, who routed neighbours Western Bulls 47-0 in the Kakamega derby.

Kabras top the standings with 34 points, four more than the bankers.

Kabras coach Henly Du Plessis said they seek to maintain their winning run with the aim of topping the standings during the regular season, a performance whose reward will be hosting the final next year, if they go all the way.

Having claimed the bragging rights in the Ngong Road derby with a 26-19 win against Kenya Harlequin, Impala remained in the hunt for the playoffs while a resurgent Nakuru RFC were stopped after going down 31-22 to Nondescripts at the Jamhuri Showground.