Kisumu RFC defeated Strathmore Leos 23-17 at Kisumu Polytechnic, a win that saw them avoid the chop with a game to spare.
The visitors were quick off the blocks and with barely 20 minutes into the game, they were comfortably leading 11-0 thanks to two penalty goals by their fly-half and an unconverted try.
Kisumu RFC started to claw back into the game and they did it first through eighth man Maurice Ochieng, who tapped and went near Leo’s 5m line and forced his way over the try line. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Walter Ambe would then add a penalty goal for the hosts before Washington Ochieng landed a try in the corner after regathering a well-placed grubber kick from David Williams.
The conversion attempt was unsuccessful. A few minutes before halftime, Kisumu RFC got another penalty and Walter Ambe stepped up again and successfully split the uprights to give Kisumu a 16-11 lead.
In the early minutes of the second half, Strathmore would strike first courtesy of a penalty goal to cut the deficit to 16-14.
Kisumu RFC responded minutes later through Malik Habil after the big inside centre made a pick and went near the Leos’ try line and grounded the ball. Walter Ambe converted the try to extend Kisumu’s lead.
In an error-ridden half, both teams tried to get the game going but their mistakes wouldn’t let them to. The Leos would land another penalty to take the score to 23-17.
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Momentum would start to swing to the visitors’ favour late in the game and they threatened to score but the Brave Hearts defended their hearts out to claim an important win that saw them avoid the Kenya Cup relegation.
In Nairobi, Menengai Oilers sealed the third spot but their 34-23 win over Catholic Monks and in the process relegating the students to the lower tier after two seasons.
