Kabras RFC secured a hard-fought 29-23 victory over KCB at the KCB Sports Club, ending the latter’s unbeaten run of nine matches and claiming the top spot in the Kenya Cup standings.
Both teams had maintained unbeaten records in the league and were separated by just one point, making for an anticipated closely contested match. However, KCB had the upper hand with a superior head-to-head record of 10 wins in 14 previous Kenya Cup meetings.
Kabras were determined to repeat their success of November 30, 2019, when they won 19-6 at KCB Sports Club, ending their long losing streak against KCB. They started brightly, scoring the opening penalty through Ntabeni Dukisa to take a 3-0 lead.
Kabras extended their lead when Jone Kubu broke from the back and kicked behind the defence before collecting the ball and scoring the opening try. Dukisa converted for a 7-0 lead.
The hosts were reduced to 14 when Oscar Simiyu was yellow-carded, and Kabras drilled in a penalty through Dukisa to take a 13-0 lead. He missed another but scored following penalty to extend the lead to 16-0.
KCB pulled back through a penalty by Darwin Mukidza, making it 16-3, before Samuel Asati scored their first try, which Mukidza converted.
In the second half, KCB came back stronger and scored through captain Curtis Lilako, with his try being converted for a 17-16 lead.
Dukisa restored Kabras’ lead with a penalty at the other end, but Mukidza had two successive penalties for a 23-17 lead.
Kabras introduced Ephraim Oduor and Teddy Akala, who had a strong surge and won a penalty, choosing a scrum.
From the scrum, Dan Angwech picked Dukisa with a pass, and the South African had a darting run before setting up Kubu to score. A conversion attempt by Dukisa missed the target, giving Kabras a 24-23 lead it was minutes after his penalty bounced off the posts.
Kabras continued to camp in KCB’s zone, and Kubu’s kick saw KCB concede a scrum, which Kabras drove on to score through Jeanson Musoga for a 29-23 lead.
The later introduction of Griffin Musila and Michael Wanjala nearly got KCB a crucial try but Musila knocked on off a line-out.
Kabras later held onto win then match. They face Menengai Oilers next weekend.
KCB Rugby Squad
15.Darwin Mukidza, 14. Michael Kimwele, 13. Festus Shiasi, 12. Essau Otieno, 11. Jacob Ojee, 10. Brian Wahinya, 9. Samuel Asati, 1. Oscar Simiyu, 2. Wilfred Waswa, 3. Curtis Lilako (captain), 4. Elvis Olukusi, 5.Emmanuel Silungi, 6. Davis Chenge, 7. Andrew Amonde, 8. Peter Waitere
REPLACEMENTS 16. Griffin Musila, 17. Thomas Okidia, 18. Nelson Nyandat, 19. Brian Munyali, 20. Steve Wamai, 21. Michael Wanjala, 22. Bob Muhati, 23. Isaac Njoroge
Kabras RFC squad
1.Hillary Mwanjilwa 2.Eugene Sifuna 3.Asuman Mugerwa 4.Brian Juma 5.David Bunduki 6.George Nyambua(C) 7.Daniel Sikuta 8.Jeanson Misoga 9.Daniel Angwech 10.Ntabeni Dukisa 11.Lameck Ambetsa 12. Walter Okoth 13.Bryceson Adaka 14.Mathias Osimbo 15.Jone Kubu
16.Teddy Akala 17.Ephrahim Oduor 18.Emmanuel Otieno 19. Elphas Emong 20.Biden Hayo 21.Barry Robinson 22. Malika Habil 23. Alfred Orege
