Strathmore Leos have booked their place in the Floodlit Plate finals next weekend after they defeated Mwamba RFC 25-20 in the plate semis played at Impala Rugby Grounds.
Strathmore Leos scored their first try through Gabriel Ayimba. It was after a couple of draw and pass by the Leos’ backline that found wing Ayimba in space. Ayimba would then be forced to fend off three Mwamba RFC defenders as he tip-toed along the touchline to dot the ball down in the corner. Conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Leos’ extended their lead few minutes later through a penalty to take the scores to 8-0.
Mwamba RFC first got on the scoreboard courtesy of Brian Ayimba’s try. Shaban Ahmed conversion attempt was successful to take scores to 8-7. Brian Ayimba would land a penalty goal minutes later to take the scores to 10-8 in favour of Mwamba RFC.
Just on the stroke of halftime, Strathmore Leos regained their lead after they went over. Conversion was successful as the varsity side went for the breather leading 15-10.
In the second half, Strathmore Leos’ converted try and a penalty goal was enough to seal the victory over Mwamba.
Mwamba RFC would start strongly in the second half and almost went on the lead early on were it not for Ishmael Mokaya knocking on the ball with the try line beckoning.
Brian Ayimba would cut Leos’ deficit to 15-13 after he nailed another penalty goal but Leos responded immediately straight from restart, landing their third try through Stanslaus Shikoli. Conversion attempt from the tricky angle was a success as Strathmore stretched their lead to 22-13.
Strathmore extended their lead minutes later through a penalty goal to take the scores to 25-13. They would have stretched their lead further after Gabriel Ayimba got his brace but the try was disallowed for an earlier knock on.
Mwamba would get a consolation try in the 80th minute which was too late to salvage a comeback. Ahmed Shaban converted the try to bring the scores to 25-20.
Strathmore Leos will face the winner between CUEA Monks and KCB in the Floodlit plate final on 2/11/2024.
