Kenya Cup side Nondies RFC delivered a composed performance to edge Ugandan side Kobs 29–13 in an Enterprise Cup quarter-final at the ASK Showground in Nakuru.
The match burst into life with both packs immediately asserting themselves at the set piece. Early pressure from Kobs at the scrum forced Nondies onto the back foot, culminating in a sin-bin for a Nondies prop after repeated infringements.
Kobs capitalised on territorial dominance, camping inside the Nondies 22 and forcing penalties. Centre Rasul Abiriga calmly slotted the first points of the game after a not rolling away offence, giving the visitors a 3–0 lead.
Despite the early setback, Nondies gradually settled, absorbing pressure and began to contest the breakdown more effectively.
Nondies’ first meaningful incursion into the Kobs 22 came via a well-placed penalty kick to touch. Though the initial attack fizzled out, momentum began to shift. A sharp counter-attack from a Kobs grubber kick proved decisive. Loosehead prop James Kubasu showed impressive pace and power, crashing over the whitewash after linking up with Mumbwani. Kelvin Sheunda added the extras to give Nondies a 7–3 lead.
Sheunda’s reliable boot extended the advantage to 10–3 with a penalty as the hosts began to control both territory and possession. The half concluded with Nondies firmly in command despite a bruising forward battle.
The restart mirrored the opening exchanges, with both sides locked in a physical contest dominated by scrums and breakdown battles. Kobs struck first in the second stanza, again through Abiriga, who reduced the deficit to 10–6 after another penalty. Their forward pack began to gain parity, setting the platform for sustained pressure.
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However, Nondies responded with fluid backline play. A sleek sequence of passes released captain Steve Odhiambo, who cut through the defence to score under pressure. Sheunda converted, stretching the lead to 17–6.
To their credit, Kobs refused to fade. Sustained possession and patient phase play eventually paid off when Andrew Odhiambo forced his way over for a converted try, narrowing the gap to 17–13 and setting up a tense final quarter.
With momentum briefly swinging, both teams tightened defensively, with big hits and turnovers defining the contest. Nondies showed their experience in the closing stages. A well-executed cross-kick from Sheunda exposed space out wide, allowing Victor Rogena to dot down in the right corner. Though the conversion drifted wide, the score pushed Nondies further ahead at 22–13.
The hosts then delivered the knockout blow. After sustained pressure and quick recycling, Charles Omondi crossed over following a sleek handling move. Sheunda made no mistake this time, sealing a convincing 29–13 victory.
With 25 Enterprise Cup titles to their name, Nondies’ pedigree shone through in key moments. Their ability to convert pressure into points, combined with disciplined game management in the final quarter, proved decisive.
