USIU Martials secured a convincing 35-21 victory over Western Bulls to escape relegation in a KRU Championship Week 11 match played at the Impala Grounds.
Faustine Wekesa opened the scoring for USIU-A with two successive penalties before Western Bulls responded with a penalty of their own, making it 6-3.
USIU-A then scored their first try of the match through Denzel Washington, followed by another penalty from Faustine Waswa, extending the hosts’ lead to 16-3. The Bulls managed to add a try and another penalty, narrowing the deficit to 16-13 by halftime.
In the second half, USIU-A scored three tries, although they failed to convert one of them. Western Bulls added an unconverted try and a penalty, but it wasn’t enough as USIU-A secured a 35-21 victory at full-time.
The recent win means that USIU will finish the season with 12 points.
Currently, both TUM Marines and Western Bulls are tied with 11 points each, but despite securing a maximum points victory, TUM Marines are set to face relegation.
Though TUM Marines are tied with Western Bulls in points, Echulusi’s head-to-head record against the Coastal-based side has proven decisive.
Echulusi secured a walkover victory over TUM in December 2024, giving them the edge in the head-to-head comparison. Furthermore, Western Bulls hold a better point differential, which ultimately places them ahead of TUM Marines in the standings meaning they will join UoE Trojans in the lower tier.
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In another match, CUEA Monks achieved a hard-fought 26-16 victory over Homeboyz at the CUEA Grounds. Catholic Monks were the first to score through Felix Omondi before Homeboyz opened their account with a penalty from Emmanuel Mbaka. They then scored their first try through Mohammed Omollo, successfully converted by Mbaka, making it 10-5 in favor of Homeboyz.
CUEA responded with a try from Patrick Vien, with Gabriel Ouma adding the extras to take a 12-10 lead. However, just before halftime, Homeboyz landed another penalty from Mbaka, regaining a 13-10 lead.
In the second half, Homeboyz tried to extend their lead to 16-10 after Mbaka scored another penalty. However, CUEA Monks gained momentum and took control of the game, scoring two tries through Zephanus Ombwanga and Dennis Mulingi. With conversions from Gabriel Ouma and Brian Nyambuki, Monks secured a 26-16 win.
In other matches, MMUST Rugby Club edged out Zetech Oaks 23-20 in a closely contested battle. Daystar Falcons defeated former Kenya Cup giants Mean Machine 27-14.
JKUAT Cougars also triumphed over UoE Trojans with a score of 24-5, while TUM Marines overcame Mombasa SC 32-22 in a coastal derby.
KRU Championship Week 11 Results:
• TUM Marines 32-22 Mombasa SC
• UoE Trojans 05-24 JKUAT Cougars
• USIU Martials 35-21 Western Bulls
• Mean Machine 14-27 Daystar Falcons
• Zetech Oaks 20-23 MMUST Rugby Club
• Catholic Monks 26-16 Homeboyz RFC
