Returning Derrick Ashihundu landed four tries for Kabras RFC as they handed Kisumu RFC a rude welcome back to Kenya Cup, picking a 72-10 victory at Kakamega Showground.
Kabras landed 12 tries in the win with George Nyambua landing two late tries in the final half.
Kabras RFC impressive record over Kisumu
Carlos Katywa’s charges headed to this match seeking to extend their perfect record over Kisumu after having picked a double when they faced off in the 2019/20 season. The Sugarmen had won 89-0 at home and registered a 59-13 victory in Kisumu.
Kabras RFC in an attack. Photo Courtesy/ Adolwa Miliza for Kabras.
They were off to a flying start with Ashihundu making his first appearance for the 15s side since the 2021/22 Kenya Cup final victory over Menengai Oilers scoring the first try of the match.
Ashihundu who was sidelined the whole of 2022/23 due to an ankle injury received an offload from skipper George Nyambua to score at the corner. Jone Kubu failed to add the extras as the defending took a 5-0 early lead.
Tens minutes later and the sugarmen doubled their lead through hooker Teddy Akala off a maul at the corner. Jone Kubu made amends to his earlier conversion, as he added the extras from what seemed like an impossible angle, to take the scores to 12-0.
Kabras would however be reduced to 14 men as their winger Ashihundu was sent to the naughty chair, after the referee spotted him shoving a Kisumu player from the back.
Kisumu used the deficit to their advantage, as they scored their first try in the game through Aggrey Kitoi, who stepped past Kabras’ defence to score. Washington Ochieng added the extras as the score shifted to 12-7.
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The sugar men however responded with a try of their own as they turned defence to attack, Ntabeni Dukisa with a try-saving intercept in their own five to set up Jone Kubu who raced end-to-end of the field to score. Ntabeni Dukisa added the extras as Kabras stretched their lead to 19-7.
Kisumu would add three points to their score off a penalty from Washington Ochieng, but their momentum was squashed by a Kabras third try, as Ashihundu returning from a sin bin set up Walter Okoth who scored behind the sticks. Kubu added the extras as the score changed to 26-10 going into the first half.
The start of the second half saw Kubu stretched out of the field. Barry Robinson was introduced in his place.
Derrick Ashihundu grabbed his second and third try of the game in a span of five minutes, as he stretched Kabras lead to 36-10 after Dukisa failed to add the extras in both tries.
Ashihundu’s fourth for Kabras RFC
Mathias Osimbo and Ashihundu, who were playing centre after technical adjustment from Kabras coach, grabbed their first and fourth try of the game respectively. Dukisa converted Osimbo’s try but failed to convert Ashihundu’s try as the score shifted to 48-10.
The scores would shift to 55-10 minutes later, as Dukisa spotted Dan Angwech at the far wide with a kick, for a score, with Dukisa adding the extras.
Kabras players in a past clash. Photo Courtesy/ Kabras media
The sugarmen were not done. Lamec Ambetsa and George Nyambua would further pile more misery on Kisumu as they scored deep into the second half. Dukisa would miss Nyambua’s try conversion but was sure with boots for Ambetsa’s try to take the scores to 67-10.
Nyambua would seal the victory for Kabras, as grabbed his second try of the game after an offload by Eugine Sifuna. Dukisa failed to add the extras as the ref whistled signalled the end of the game, and Kabras with a 72-10 win.
