KCB Rugby picked a crucial win at Nakuru ASK Showground, defeating Menengai Oilers 25-15 to move to second on the Kenya Cup table and revive their direct semi-final hopes.
Heading into the encounter, KCB had lost twice to Oilers, in the Kenya Cup semi-final and the Floodlit tournament, and had also dropped a crucial point that saw them slip to third place. Oilers, on the other hand, were cruising with eight consecutive Kenya Cup wins and had not lost at home since going down 20-14 to Kabras last season.
The bankers started strongly and grabbed a try converted by Brian Wahinya to take a 7-0 lead. Oilers responded with a try from their skipper Ibrahim Ayoo to cut the deficit to two points.
Wahinya then stretched KCB’s advantage, drilling in three successive penalties to hand the visitors a 16-5 lead. However, momentum shifted Oilers’ way in the closing stages of the first half.
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They crossed over through Kenyan international Daniel Kipchirchir but failed to add the extras, reducing the gap to 16-10 at the break. The Oilmen continued to press and added another try through speedster Alvin Khavoli, though discipline cost them as they were shown a yellow card shortly after.
The second half belonged entirely to KCB. The bankers produced a defensive masterclass, shutting out Oilers for the full 40 minutes without conceding a point. Wahinya’s accuracy from the tee proved decisive as he continued to slot in crucial penalties, ensuring KCB walked away with a vital 25-15 victory in Nakuru.
