Rhinos win over Buffaloes, qualify for the knockout stage

By BS Mulavi

Lions Captain Dennis Mwanja believes their lust for victory has given them an edge in this year’s Bamburi Rugby Super Series Tournament.

The Lions stretched their unbeaten run to three as they dismissed Cheetahs 24-15 at the Jamhuri Grounds in a fast paced match.

Mwanja said his pride played solidly well in the opening exchanges but they got their foot off the pedal in final minutes of the game. It is an area Lions will be looking to improve as they head to their semi-final fixture next weekend.

“We need to learn to play at high tempo in all the 80 minutes and stop displaying glimpses of our best shows,” said Mwanja.

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“We have seen some of our weakness and we need to start preparing against the defending champions Rhinos whom we have a lot of respect for. But we must beat them in order to claim the title.”

Lions will now have to prey on Rhinos in the semi finals next weekend after the defending champions secured a 25-18 victory against Buffaloes at the Nakuru Athletics Club to take the second spot in the group. Lions, who are unbeaten in the competition this year, clinched the top spot in their pool with Cheetahs wounding up second.

The Cheetahs forwards will be embarrassed after they were completely dominated by the Lions forwards, who ran riot rounding them up and cutting off their attacks.

The Cheetahs are now scheduled to meet Rwenzori of Uganda, who topped the opposite pool after beating Victoria 12-3 in Kampala.

Tournament favourites

Lions and Rwenzori are favourites to lift the title as they both hold an undefeated streak in the tournament. However, Mwanja was quick to dismiss any such talk and will instead take every game at a time.

“We just have to renew our hunger and passion every weekend and we can win all games, but for now we need to concentrate against the Rhinos and if we qualify for the finals, it is then that we will look at winning the title,” he added.

Meanwhile in the first game of the day, Nguvu Sharks registered their first victory of the tournament as they beat Coastal Bulls 43-17 in a dead rubber.

This game saw the Coastal Bulls come closest to giving a Franchise team a run for their money, but the Bulls will be equally disappointed that they let the second half slip past their fingers.

The teams went to the break with the Sharks leading 19-17 but the script changed in the second half with Paul Odera’s men running away with the victory.

Tries from Maurice Mbai, Ian Were, Ayub Kimutai and Tony Onyango put the game beyond the coastal side. This marks the third year in a row that the Bulls have failed to win a single game in the tournament.