Menengai Oilers produced a ruthless attacking display to register a 66–8 victory over Strathmore Leos in a Kenya Cup week 4 encounter played at the Strathmore Sports Complex on Saturday, January 10.
The match was in tribute to Strathmore Leos lock Felix ‘Chano’ Odhiambo, who tragically passed away on January 2 while receiving treatment after sustaining serious injuries in a road accident on New Year’s Eve.
Coming into the encounter, Oilers sat second on the table with 15 points and an impressive points difference, having won all three of their opening matches.
Strathmore Leos, meanwhile, were fourth with 10 points, having recorded two wins and one loss before the break, their setback coming in a heavy 72–10 defeat to KCB Rugby.
Strathmore Leos showed early intent and broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Arnold Muita took a quick tap and offloaded to Collins Maina, who raced down the left wing to score. Muita’s conversion attempt missed, giving the hosts a 5–0 lead.
Menengai Oilers Respond
Menengai Oilers responded almost immediately, capitalising on breakdown pressure as Ibrahim Ayoo picked from a ruck to score their first try on the left. Timothy Omela added the conversion to swing the score to 7–5.
The visitors then took full control. Abutwalib Wesonga crossed for Oilers’ second try, again converted by Omela, before Chrispine Shitundo finished another move down the left wing to extend the lead to 21–5.
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Wesonga added his second try shortly after, though Omela missed the conversion. Strathmore briefly reduced the deficit through a penalty by Muita, making it 26–8, but Oilers quickly reasserted dominance. Bildad Ogeta raced over on the left for another try, with the conversion missing to leave the score at 31–8.
Just before halftime, Oilers struck decisively from a scrum. Wesonga broke down the right and offloaded to Ogeta, who finished under the posts. Omela converted to send Oilers into the break leading 38–8.
The second half followed the same pattern, with Samuel Mwaura crossing early and Omela converting to stretch the lead to 45–8. Ten minutes later, Oilers struck again from a maul as Fortune Arturo offloaded through the hands to Samuel Ovwamu, who dotted down under the posts, Omela again successful for 52–8.
Strathmore thought they had pulled one back after a strong run by Amon Wamalwa, but the try was ruled out for a knock-on.
In the closing minutes, Oilers continued their onslaught. Fortune Arturo broke through before Timothy Omela finished the move and converted his own try.
The rout was completed when Oilers stole a Strathmore scrum, with Collins Kabayo tapping and grounding the ball, Omela adding the extras to seal a 66–8 full-time scoreline.
The result marked Menengai Oilers’ fourth consecutive win of the season, while Strathmore Leos suffered a second straight defeat.
The Leos now turn their focus to a difficult away fixture against defending champions Kabras RFC, scheduled to accommodate the burial of Felix ‘Chano’ Odhiambo on Saturday.
