Center Devin Abuga scored twice in the first half as South Coast Pirates rode to their first Kenya Cup victory, holding off Strathmore Leos 18-8 at the Seacrest Grounds, Diani.
This ended their four match winless stretch in Kenya Cup, giving them hopes of surving the chop at the end of the season.
South Coast Pirates run
The Kwale based outfit was first to go over the whitewash for the game’s opening points through center Devin Abuga after Pirates were awarded a penalty outside the Leos’ five meter zone, penalised for obstruction as they tried to clear their lines.
Pirates would take a quick tap and two carries later, a pass behind their burly forwards who were working round the ruck area found Abuga who was quick to recognise the broken Leos defence now rushing to cover the overlap on the outside.
Straightening before stepping inside to beat an oncoming defender let the returning center stretch out to put his side in the lead, 5-0 now as the flyhalf’s attempt at adding the extra twos was unsuccessful.
Pirates would continue knocking and pounding on the Leos defence which was showing cracks at this point and would benefit again with a penalty five meters out.
The man of the hour Abuga would take a quick tap before scrambling over the whitewash over calls to go for the three pointer. The conversion was succesfull this time round, the home crowd energy intensifying now as they lead 12-0.
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Strathmore would blow a chance to cut the deficit, Ian Masheti’s offload attempt to Leo Opiyo called for a knock by Constant Cap who was running the show at the Seacrest Grounds.
Pirates would punish the Leos moments later as Abonyo split the uprights to extend the seaman’s lead to 15-0 as Strathmore failed to capitalise on a scrum and lineout on the Pirates five meter line as Cap signalled the end of the first stanza.
Leos were quicker off the blocks as Philemon Olang bullied his way over the white chalk from close quarters to cut the deficit to just ten points.
The varsity side who looked more energised and determined at this point then slashed a further three points off the difference from the boot of No.10 Arnold Muita to make it a seven point game early in the second half. Scores now 15-8 in favour of the home team.
The contest remained tight as the second period unravelled under the enchanting clear skies of Diani, both sides producing dangerous moments, only failing to convert them into scores.
Pirates then added three points, their only points in the second half to win their first Kenya cup match, 18-8.
Pirates have their first points while Strath havr lost five in a row.
