USIU, Northern Suburbs win to keep playoff hopes alive

USIU captain Eliud Mulakoli prepares to take a penalty during a KRU Championship match against Egerton Wasps [Washington Onyango,Standard]

United States International University-Africa RFC (USIU Martials) and Northern Suburbs kept their hopes of sealing a quarterfinal playoff spot alive after winning their respective matches in the KRU Championship over the weekend.

USIU Martials thrashed University of Eldoret Trojans 40-22 to cement their fourth place position with 37 points and captain Eliud Mulakoli believes a win in their last match next weekend will seal the deal for them in the quarterfinal playoffs.

“We started the season slow but am glad the team did not give up. We picked up and we are now in a good position to qualify for the quarters.”

“This will be an achievement for us considering how our season has been. Our goal now remains to win our last fixture to seal the deal and wait for the quarterfinals,” he said.

Northern Suburbs Cubs, on their maiden season in the championship also kept their quarter hopes alive after thrashing South Coast Pirates 41-12 in Karen.

The win saw suburbs leapfrog Pirates to fifth in the standings with 34 points with a win in their last match needed to confirm their playoff spot.

Egerton Wasps dropped to sixth after their 21-10 loss to Eldoret RFC but remain on course for sealing a quarterfinal playoff spot.

In Kakamega, it was a routine win for second placed Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST RFC) who thrashed already relegated Kisii RFC 38-5 as leaders Strathmore Leos registered a massive 79-12 win over Mombasa RFC.

Mean Machine edged out Catholic Monks 28-3 to remain third with 49 points, 14 points behind second placed MMUST.

Strathmore Leos and MMUST have already confirmed their direct home semifinal qualification with one game of the regular season left with Machine already assured of a quarterfinal spot.

Kisii has been relegated and will be joined with either Mombasa RFC, Catholic Monks and University of Eldoret who are fighting for survival. [Washington Onyango]

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Championship weekend results

Strathmore 79-12 Mombasa

Mean Machine 29-3 CUEA Monks

Suburbs 41-12 SC Pirates

USIU 40-22 UOE

MMUST 38-5 Kisii

Eldoret 21-10 Egerton