Kabras RFC ended the regular season unbeaten, beating Menengai Oilers 27–13 at the Kakamega Showground to finish top of the Kenya Cup standings once again, the eighth consecutive season they have achieved the feat.
The Sugarmen have now beaten Oilers ten times in a row since the Nakuru-based side was promoted to the top tier. The match also marked a milestone for head coach Carlos Katywa, who was overseeing his 50th Kenya Cup match since taking over from Jerome Muller, and he remains unbeaten in the competition as head coach.
Kabras RFC start
Kabras showed their intentions early in the game, repeatedly opting for lineouts in kickable areas inside the Oilers 22-metre line. Their near-perfect lineout execution allowed them to build pressure.
Their approach paid off after 15 minutes when Erick Cantona spotted space inside the Oilers half and attempted a 50–22 kick but fell just short. Although Oilers earned the lineout, Kabras stole possession and launched an attack that led to the opening try.
Skipper George Nyambua powered over the whitewash from a pick-and-carry after they missed on several attempts off lineouts. Cantona converted to give Kabras a 7–0 lead.
Oilers reduced the deficit minutes later when Abutwalib Wesonga slotted a penalty to make it 7–3.
Kabras responded quickly, stretching their lead through Mathias Osimbo, who was set up by Cantona to score. Cantona added the extras as Kabras moved 14–3 ahead.
Dominant at the set piece, Kabras again used their lineout strength to devastating effect, marching forward off a maul to add another try and extend the lead to 19–3.
Just when it looked like Kabras would cruise through the contest, Oilers fought their way back. Fortune Arturo beat the Kabras defence to score Oilers’ first try, with Wesonga converting to cut the gap to 19–10.
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As heavy rain began to pour at the Kakamega Showground, Kabras managed the closing stages of the half well to carry their lead into the break.
The second half did not kick off as scheduled as the downpour forced a delay of over 30 minutes. Once the rain eased, both teams returned to the pitch for a brief warm-up before play resumed.
Kabras continued to apply territorial pressure after the restart, with both sides making tactical substitutions. The hosts struck first in the second half, adding another try to extend the lead to 24–10.
Discipline then became a talking point, with yellow cards being traded. Nelson Makokha was sent to the sin bin, while Eugene Sifuna was also yellow-carded shortly after returning before being replaced by Teddy Akala.
Oilers managed to add another three points as the match turned into a territorial battle, narrowing the score to 24–13.
With Kabras keen on controlling the game in the closing minutes, they added a drop goal to stretch the lead to 27–13 before holding on comfortably to secure the victory and finish the regular season unbeaten.
