Kabras floor Impala, Blak Blad stun Nondies as KCB beat Nakuru RFC

John Kubu of Kabras Sugar in action against Top Fry Nakuru RFC during the Kenya Cup match played at Nakuru Athletics club in Nakuru on January 11, 2019. [Photo: Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Jone Kubu scored two tries and kicked 10 points as Kabras Sugar held their nerve to beat Impala Saracens 37-26 in a Kenya Cup match at Impala Club on Saturday. 

The bonus-point victory saw Kabras maintain top spot in the league standings with 65 points, one more than defending champions KCB who remained in second position despite their win at Nakuru RFC. 

Kabras were forced to play the better part of the second half with 14 men after Kenya under-20 international Barry Robinson was red-carded for dangerous play on Billy Omondi. 

"We had a comfortable lead but we allowed Impala to score some easy points. That was unacceptable from the guys who came off the bench and they really need to step up if they are to get game-time," Kabras coach Henly du Plessis said. 

His Impala counterpart Mitch Ocholla said their performance yesterday was an improvement from the 25-3 defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture staged in Kakamega. 

"There are a few areas which need polishing and I hope we can improve on them as we head to the playoffs. Our defence is one key area which needs improvement and we shall get the desired results if we work on that," he said.

Kabras were quick to settle and they were rewarded in the second minute when Fijian Jone Kubu crossed the whitewash for an unconverted try. 

Paul Abuto then extended the sugar millers' advantage with another five-pointer before Impala rallied to take a 14-10 lead through Alvin Marube and Xavier Kipng'etich's converted tries.

Henly du Plessis men would retake the lead through Lawi Buyachi's try which was converted by Kubu on the stroke of half-time.

Kubu continued with his brilliant showing in the second half, booting a penalty before converting Brian Tanga's centre post try to hand his side a 13-point cushion.

The diminutive fly-half was then set up by Brian Juma to get his second try of the game which he converted as Kabras took a commanding 34-14 lead.