KCB II have booked their place in the Eric Shirley Shield final after they outwitted stubborn Kenya Harlequin II 28-24 in an ESS Semi-final match held at the Lions Den, Ruaraka.
Kenya Harlequin II drew first blood when inside center Wiseman Aganya went over the whitewash. Conversion attempt on Aganya’s try was not succesful.
KCB II responded moments later when Elvis Namusasi split the uprights with a well struck penalty to cut the deficit to 3-5.
Quins II would extend their lead after succesfully landing a drop goal to take the scores to 8-3 before KCB II got their first try of the game courtesy of their outside center. Namusasi converted the try to put KCB II in the lead for the first time in the game.
Kenya Harlequin II would reclaim their lead in the last 10 minutes of the first half after scoring a penalty goal through their fly half to take the scores to 11-10 but unfortunately their discipline came to haunt them again. A scuffle ensued and as the dust settled, Quins prop Abel Matanda was sent to the bin.
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On the stroke of halftime, KCB II got a penalty and Elvis Namusasi stepped up to boot a near-50m penalty to ensure the hosts go into the shades leading 13-11.
In the second half, both teams exchanged penalty goals early on before Wiseman Aganya scored a try which was converted to give Quins II a 21-16 lead. KCB II would go over in the corner moments later on the back of a rolling maul. Namusasi failed to convert as scores remain 21-21.
With the game approaching full-time, KCB II were awarded a penalty try late in the game to lead 28-24. The Cubs would hold onto the lead to win the game 28-24. KCB II will be playing Kabras II next Saturday in the ESS Cup finals.
