Menengai Oilers bounced back to winning ways in style after thrashing MMUST RFC 48-3 in a Kenya Cup clash played at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.
The Oilmen headed into the encounter on the back of a home loss to KCB and were keen to return to winning ways to keep their hopes of securing a home semi-final alive. MMUST RFC, on the other hand, were in desperate need of points to boost their survival chances.
Menengai Oilers opened the scoring through Alvin Khavoli, who crossed over for the first try of the match to stretch his tally to 13 tries for on top of Kenya Cup scoring charts. Kenya International Daniel Kipchirchir soon added another try with Abutwalib Wesonga successfully converting to extend the hosts’ lead.
MMUST RFC responded through the boot of Flavian Otiyo, who slotted in a penalty, but the Oilers still held a comfortable 12-3 lead at the halftime break.
The Oilers came back stronger in the second half, with Fortune Aturo extending the lead after touching down for a try which Wesonga converted to make it 19-3. Victor Were and Daniel Kipchirchir then added a try each to stretch the advantage further as Menengai Oilers took full control of the contest.
The hosts went on to add three more tries, with one conversion successful, to seal a dominant 48-3 victory at full time.
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
Despite the loss, MMUST RFC still have slim hopes of survival as they have two matches remaining, while most teams have only one match left to play.
Elsewhere, Nondescripts RFC returned to winning ways by handing Daystar Falcons a second straight defeat after claiming a 40-20 victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Kenya Harlequin are guaranteed another season in after moving to 21 points on the standings with a 27-11 win over Kisumu RFC. The defeat dealt a major blow to Kisumu RFC’s survival hopes as they have now lost nine of their ten matches this season and remain on eight points.
Meanwhile, the match between Impala and Blak Blad was the second game of the day to be abandoned due to heavy rains that pounded Nairobi. The final decision on the match will now await the ruling of the Fixtures and Competitions Committee.
