KENYA CUP

Nondies extend winning streak over Quins to reach consecutive Kenya Cup semi-final

By Amanga collins

Posted on March 22, 2025

Nondies players during the Dala 7s. PHOTO /Dave Mwaura

Record Kenya Cup Champions Nondies completed a double over Kenya Harlequin winning 38-22 at the Race Course to reach the second consecutive semi-fnal appearance since being promoted back to the top tier.

Calum Oliver charges have beaten Kenya Harlequin four times in a row since returning to the top tier last season.

Nondies start

Bruce Odhiambo made sure the Lions strapped in their white livery had the faster start, drilling home a penalty after the centre referee Constant Cap called for a high tackle on Fidens Tony just inside Quins’ 40-meter mark.

Quins would reply almost immediately as a wayward Ronnie Omondi pass from the base of the ruck found Abel Matanda who carried them into Nondies’ 22 having sold a dummy en route. Quins would hit home from close range for the game’s opening try, as Faren Juma added the extra two for a 3-7 lead.

Nondies would capitalise on yet another error from the visitors for Odhiambo to cut the deficit to just one point from the boot, scores now 6-7. He would miss another chance to put the home side in front as his kick sailed wide, with the contest swaying both sides at this stage.

Kenyan U20 playmaker Juma would extend Quins’ lead from the boot after Nondies ‘ back was penalised for being offside at the scrum, only for the home team to pull back with a penalty of their own through Odhiambo for an offside penalty to make it 9-10, the visitors still with the edge.

Nondies would retake the lead from the boot as Dominic Osino was obstructed from chasing his chip kick, Odhiambo making it 12-10.

Charles Omondi then scored next for Nondies under the uprights, shrugging off the attention of three black jerseys to dot down, as the home team capitalised on a Quins error in fielding a clearance kick to make it 19-10.

Quins would reply immediately with a try of their own, Richel Wangila slicing through a gassed-out white defence to dive under the uprights, Juma slotting in the conversion to make it a two-point game as Cap signalled both teams to head into the shades, the home team leading 19-17.

EDITOR’S PICKS:

Quins would start quickly off the break, a sleek exchange releasing Fogang who would be stopped five metres shy. An outnumbered Nondies’ defence would then be caught out as the visitors crashed over near the corner for a 19-22 lead.

The next score would go to the home team, Steve Odhiambo picking from the base of the ruck to bully his way over the white chalk near the uprights for a 26-22 scoreline as Quins continued piling penalties.

Former Kenyan International Tony Owuor would slice through a stunned Quins defence to extend Nondies’ lead, the visitors failing to properly realign from the scrum to allow in an easy try under the uprights, scores now 33-22.

As if making up for the skies which had held forth to allow for action, the home team would score immediately after as Daniel Okito took a quick tap to catch the black defence in sixes and sevens, scoring to make scores 38-22.

Quins would enjoy continued moments of possession as unforced errors continued to hamper any forward play coming their way as Nondies resorted to kicking behind the black defence to control territory.

Tony Fidens would then sell an outrageous dummy before offloading to an oncoming scrumhalf substitute Ian Mumbwani to score only for the referee to call back play deeming Fidens’ assist a forward pass.

The same fate would befall Quins as Dave Mwaura’s try would get cancelled, Cap calling back play for a forward pass in Lucky Dewald’s assist pass.

A back and forth would ensue in the dying moments as Quins bravely fought a determined Nondies defence but that would be that. Full time score 38-22 in favour of the home team.