Kenyatta University outfit Blak Blad proved a hard nut to crack at home, beating Mwamba Rfc 24-16 in their Kenya Cup opening game staged at Blad Bin, Kenyatta University Grounds.
Blad had gone the entire 2022/23 season without losing a single match and were seeking to extend the fine run at home.
Mwamba RFC went up 6-0 thanks to two successful penalty goals from fly-half Tony Omondi but Blak Blad responded quickly with a try in the 25th minute through flank Wamaih Randy. Enock Oduor added the extras to give the hosts a 7-6 lead at the break.
Mwamba scored their first try in the 43rd minute through Humphrey Wambui with Kenyan International fly-half Tony Omondi converting it to reclaim the lead.
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Minutes later, Blak Blad would cut Mwamba’s lead to 12-13 after Wesonga Shuaib went over for the hosts’ second try. The try was unconverted.
Mwamba RFC added a penalty in the 58th minute through Omondi’s boot to extend their lead to 12-16. Mwamba had done well to hold the hosts but it was in the last quarter that the visitors started to wane.
Mwamba RFC could not contain Blak Blad’s resurgence in the last 20 minutes as the hosts scored two tries to put the game far off Mwamba’s reach. Dennis Odhiambo went over for an unconverted try before Kennedy Nyamiro sealed the game for the hosts in the 74th minute with another try which was converted by substitute Dennis Gitau to win the game 24-16.
In Nakuru, another varsity side Strathmore Leos managed to pick a win against Nakuru RFC with the match ending 27-24. The loss saw Mwamba pick losing bonus points.
