Nationwide champions Zetech suffered a narrow 26-23 defeat to Stallion Rugby in the quarterfinal match held at RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.
In the first half, Stallions’ fly-half Anthony Onyango executed a perfect dummy to score the opening try in the first minute, though he missed the conversion. Winger Francis Obiny doubled the lead soon after, and this time Onyango made no mistake with the conversion, putting Stallions ahead 12-0.
Stallions lead in Impala Floodlit
Zetech responded with three points from a penalty drilled in by Jack Mwangale, making it 12-3. In the 27th minute, Onyango extended Stallions’ lead to 15-3 with a successful penalty kick.
As the first half neared its end, Mwangale took a quick tap from a penalty and dived over for a try, converting it himself to narrow the gap to 15-10 at halftime.
The second half saw plenty of action, including three yellow cards. Stallions’ Backrower and Mark Anthony were sent to the sin bin, followed by Zetech’s Lincon Njagi but Zetech could not capitalize on the advantage.
Stallions added 11 points in the second half. Brian Ondieki scored a try, while the impressive Onyango contributed two more penalties. Zetech fought back with 13 points, as Mwangale slotted in a penalty and Johnson Wafula scored a spectacular try, chasing down a long-range kick to ground the ball.
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Mwangale added another penalty late in the game, but it was too late to overturn the deficit, with Stallions holding on for a 26-23 victory.
In another quarterfinal, Daystar University edged JKUAT 17-9 in a tightly contested encounter.
The match saw only one try, scored in the ninth minute by Kenya U20 player Nathan Tsindoli. Eddy Wambugu converted to give Daystar a 7-0 lead.
Davies Masinga responded with two penalties for JKUAT, cutting the gap to 7-6 by halftime.
In the second half, Wambugu extended Daystar’s lead with a penalty, making it 10-6. Daystar then earned a penalty try, increasing their advantage to 17-6. Masinga added a late penalty for JKUAT, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
