Blak Blad edged Strathmore Leos 39-31 in thrilling rugby showdown at Kenyatta University Grounds.
They have sealed a top six finish for the second season in a row as they have moved to 26 points with their closest challenger Impala at 15 points.
The match kicked off with both teams crossing the whitewash early.
Strathmore Leos struck first through Victor Mola, with Arnold Muita slotting in the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Blak Blad responded swiftly as Benjamin Rugar touched down, though Daniel Oyoo’s conversion attempt fell short, leaving the score at 7-5.
Elvis Otete restored Leos’ advantage with a well-worked try, but Oyoo added the extras to push Blad ahead at 10-7. Handling errors plagued both sides, leading to multiple scrums.
Matthew Mogaya powered over for Leos, but the conversion sailed wide, levelling the scores at 12-12.
A penalty for offside saw Stephen Osumba split the posts, handing Strathmore a narrow 15-12 lead.
Blak Blad regained control before the break, as Rugar bagged his brace in style. The conversion attempt missed, but Blad took a slim 17-15 lead into halftime.
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Strathmore Leos quickly reduced the deficit with a penalty conversion from Muita. However, they were soon dealt a blow when their scrum-half was sent to the sin bin, leaving them a man down.
Blak Blad capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Steve Biko crossing the whitewash in the 48th minute. Oyoo’s conversion stretched their lead to 24-18.
A costly penalty error allowed Blak Blad to bulldoze through the Leos’ defence for another try, though the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
The exchange of penalties continued, with Osumba slotting another three-pointer to make it 24-21 before Oyoo extended Blad’s lead to 27-21 with yet another penalty.
The game took a decisive turn when Nyamiro sold a dummy off a try-line drop out kick, diving over at the centre for a converted try, pushing Blad further ahead at 34-21.
Immediately after the restart, a slick passage of play saw Elvis Otete touch down on the left wing. The conversion attempt went wide, but Blad remained in control at 39-21.
Strathmore Leos refused to back down, responding with a well-worked try from Dennis Mbila, though the conversion failed, narrowing the gap to 39-26.
Moments later, Gabriel Ayimba sprinted clear to score, but Osumba’s conversion attempt missed, leaving Leos trailing 39-31.
Leos’ hopes took another hit when they were reduced to 14 men after an infringement in the air.
Despite their late surge, Blak Blad held firm to secure a hard-fought victory in an electrifying encounter.
