Menengai Oilers edged Kenya Harlequin 22-17 in a tightly contested Kenya Cup clash in Nairobi, grinding out a narrow win to continue their strong recent record against Quins and maintain their push near the top of the table.
Kenya Harlequin and Menengai Oilers faced off for the 10th time in the Kenya Cup, continuing one of the most competitive rivalries in the league.
Since the 2018/19 season, the two sides have shared closely contested encounters, with Menengai Oilers holding a slight edge. From the previous nine meetings, Oilers had won five, Kenya Harlequin three, while one ended in a draw.
Oilers have enjoyed the upper hand in recent seasons, highlighted by back-to-back 39-13 victories and a convincing 42-28 win last season. Quins, however, have also had their moments, recording notable wins of 33-16 and 25-15.
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The visitors made a fast start, crossing for an early try which was converted to take a 5-0 lead. Patrick Wainaina responded for Kenya Harlequin, with Faran Juma adding the extras to level the scores at 7-7.
The Nakuru-based side struck again with an unconverted try in the corner to regain the lead at 12-7. Quins had the perfect response when Jan Remke scored under the posts, and Juma converted to give the hosts a 14-12 advantage heading into halftime.
Kenya Harlequin were reduced to 14 men late in the first half following a red card, and Oilers capitalised soon after with their third try to move ahead 17-12. Faran Juma kept Quins in the contest with a penalty to level matters at 17-17.
In the closing stages, Menengai Oilers showed greater composure, grinding out another try to seal victory and leave Nairobi with maximum points from a hard-fought encounter.
