Kenya Cup defending Champions Kabras RFC beat Kenya Harlequin 27-12 to move to 15 points in a match played at Kakamega Showground on Saturday.
It was going to be a good contest with Quins having beaten Kabras 35-24 in the final preseason match played before the start of the season.
Quins lead early on
Quins scored after only five minutes of play when Lucky Dewald broke through Kabras’ defense line to race and score. Quins took an early 7-0 lead after Dewald converted his own try.
Kabras responded by camping high in Quins territory, earning a penalty metres short of Quins’ 22. Ntabeni Dukisa converted the penalty to cut the deficit to four points, leaving Quin ahead 7-3.
The momentum quickly shifted to the home side minutes later and their efforts were rewarded with their first try of the game, Bryceson Adaka going over the white wash at the corner. Dukisa’s conversion sailed wide, Kabras jumping into the lead with the scores reading 8-7.
Minutes later and the sugarmen were at it, Ephraim Oduor powering over Quins defence off a scrum to score metres off the corner. Dukisa once again came short with the boots, the scores reading 13-7.
Quins responded in the dying minutes of the first half. Dewald missed the conversion with one point separating the two sides going into the break, Kabras leading 13-12.
The start of the second half saw Kabras ease the pressure off their back after Brian Tanga sliced through Quins defence to score metres off the corner. Dukisa made amends to his earlier conversions, this time slicing the posts to add the twos for a 20-12 Kabras lead.
Kabras continued piling more pressure on the visitors but came short of scoring two tries after ball handling errors from the forwards while camping inside Quins 22 for a while.
They however corrected their mistakes minutes later when Adaka dashed over for his second try of the game to score between the posts. Dukisa with an easy conversion added the extras, Kabras stretching their lead to 27-12.
The sugarmen thought they had scored in stoppage time but the referee after consulting with her assistant ruled off the try, the infringement being a knock on. They would hold on their lead to collect maximum points as the game ended 27-12 Kabras win.
Kabras RFC squad : 1.Ephrahim Odero 2.Eugene Sifuna 3.Joseph Odero 4.Brian Juma 5.Shem Joseph 6.John Baraka 7.Thomas Simiyu 8.Jeanson Misoga 9.Brian Tanga 10.Ntabeni Dukisa 11.Alfred Orege 12.Malik Habil 13.Bryceson Adaka 14.Mathias Osimbo 15.William Opaka
16.Teddy Akala 17.Hillary Mwanjilwa 18.Asuman Mugerwa 19.Hillary Odhiambo 20.Dan Sikuta 21.Barry Robinson 22.Victor Otieno 23.Paul Abuto
QUINS VS KABRAS TEAM NEWS
1. Elisha Koronya 2. Wilhite Mususi 3. Meshack Tunnech 4. Micheal Onsando (C) 5. Hillary Baraza 6. Sheldon Kahi. 7. Brian Waraba 8. Mark Omoding 9. Lucky Dewald 10. Arnold Onzere 11. Charles Kinyanjui 12. Briton Mwalawa 13. Douglas Kahuri 14. Dennis Nyongesa 15. Dominic Osino (VC)
REPLACEMENTS
16. Mohammed Khaider 17. Melvin Thairu 18. Laban Kipsang 19. Leanard Fogang 20. Felix Makhokha 21. Patrick Wainaina 22. Cornelius Mokoro 23, Brian Watila
