Menengai Oilers have returned to the Impala Floodlit final for the first time since 2019 after defeating Blak Blad 22-6 in the semifinal held at Impala Club on Saturday night.
The Oilers, two-time winners of the Impala Floodlit Varsity category, had previously faced back-to-back semifinal disappointments, including a narrow 16-11 loss to Nondies in 2022 and a 41-21 defeat to KCB in 2023 after trailing 31-0 at halftime.
Menengai Oilers eyeing revenge
Blak Blad, also familiar with semifinal exits, had shown resilience in recent years, notably beating the Oilers 14-11 in the 2023 Impala Floodlit third-place playoff.
Despite an early concession, the Nakuru-based Oilers led the match 10-6 at halftime. Kelvin Gathu’s penalty gave Blak Blad a 3-0 lead, but the Oilers responded with a penalty kick from fly-half Abutwalib Wesonga to level the scores at 3-3.
Gibson Weru’s side then capitalized with a converted try by Celestine Mboi, with Wesonga adding the extras for a 10-3 advantage. However, Blak Blad kept the pressure on, with Daniel Oyoo landing a drop goal to close the gap to 10-6 at the break.
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In the second half, Oilers extended their lead with a try from Clinton Odhiambo, diving over off a maul for a 15-6 lead. Despite a missed conversion, the Oilers maintained their intensity, and Odhiambo struck again, breaking through off a ruck and racing over to push the scoreline to 20-6. With kicking duties shifted from Wesonga, Denis Abukuse confidently slotted the conversion to secure the final score of 22-6.
This victory sees the Nakuru-based Oilers set to face Impala in the final next weekend.
Menengai Oilers vs Blad squads
Blak Blad squad
1.Austin Adero, 2. Antony Amayi, 3. Brian Kidake, 4. Dennis Opiyo, 5. Steve Odhiambo, 6. Lowell Mwanika, 7. Obat Kuke, 8. Randy Wamah, 9. Jenkins Kipruto, 10. Daniel Oyoo, 11. Shuaib Wesonga, 12. Benjamin Rugar, 13. Jared Odhiambo, 14. Archadius Khwesa, 15. Kelvin Gathu.
Replacements: 16. Brian Shile, 17. Dessaily Wafula, 18. Collins Obure, 19. Bryceson Ogamba, 20. Ian Obukwa, 21. Derrick Masese, 22. Enock Oduor, 23. Elvis Otete.
1. Destrious Ifedha, 2. Celestine Mboi, 3. Vincent Mwikhali, 4. Hibrahim Ayoo, 5. Charles Osgood, 6. Nelson Makokha, 7. Clinton Odhiambo, 8. Samuel Were, 9. Samson Onsomu, 10. Abutwalib Wesonga, 11. Timothy Okwemba, 12. Samuel Ovwamu, 13. Chrispin Shitundo, 14. Denis Abukuse, 15. Samuel Mwaura,
16. Fortune Arturo, 17. Byron Cornel, 18. Victor Were, 19. Amos Obae, 20. Elkeans Musonye, 21. Andrew Odero, 22. Stephen Arunga, 23. Lucky Onyango.
Watch Rift Valley Varsities win here:
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