Defending champions Kabras RFC dug deep to secure a hard-fought 26–16 victory over a spirited Blak Blad RFC in a drama-filled, bruising contest at the packed Blad Bin, Kenyatta University to stay unbeaten.
Blak Blad’s early momentum was checked just five minutes in when centre Bryson Ogamba was shown yellow for an intentional knock-on, reducing the students to 14 men and gifting Kabras crucial territory.
Kabras RFC concede
The Blad would score first, with loose forward Steve Odhiambo read a pass from Roy Maruti, intercepted cleanly, and sprinted the length from his own half to ground on the far right.
Enock Oduor added the extras for a 7–0 lead, before extending the advantage to 10 with a well-taken penalty after Kabras were pinged for holding on at the breakdown.
What followed was a ferocious arm-wrestle. Big hits echoed around the ground as both sides tested each other’s defensive resolve. Blak Blad camped in Kabras’ half for long spells but found the champions’ line uncompromising, with dominant tackles halting wave after wave of attacks.
Kabras then flexed their traditional muscle up front. A period of scrum dominance told late in the first half when Jeason Misoga peeled off the base to dot down. Eric Cantona’s conversion drifted wide.
Kenya U20 skipper Roy Maruti would score under the posts to tie the scores before Cantona added the twos for a 12-10 lead.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
- List of rugby prospects from high school
- Colman Were keen to redefine Kenyan rugby’s physical edge
- Follow Scrummage Africa on Facebook
- Collins Injera inducted into Fiji’s Rugby Town Walk of Fame
The second half ignited immediately. Kabras returned with heavy carries and direct running, forcing Blak Blad onto the back foot. Minutes in, the hosts were dealt another blow when Walter Okoth was sent off for 10 minutes for a dangerous tackle, again leaving them a man short.
From the ensuing scrum, Roy Maruti pounced, finishing sharply to extend Kabras’ advantage. Cantona converted to push the score to 19–10. Blak Blad responded through Oduor’s accurate boot, narrowing the gap to 19–13, but a missed penalty soon after proved costly.
Kabras sensed the moment and struck decisively. Off yet another commanding scrum, Maruti went over and Cantona added the conversion to open up a 26–13 lead.
A late penalty from Oduor reduced the deficit, but time and territory were against the hosts.
