Kabras steamroller Blak Blad in Kenya Cup opener
Johnstone Waiganjo (left) of Impala RFC goes for the try line during their Kenya Cup league match against Kenya Harlequins at RFUEA grounds on November 27, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Kenya Cup Rugby Champs KCB make light work of Homeboyz at Ruaraka
- Elsewhere, Menengai Oilers hit Mwamba 25-19 in Nakuru as Strathmore Leos and Kenya Harlequin ran over Top Fry Nakuru 30-11 and 29-20 respectively in a double-header staged at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi
- Last season’s losing finalists make light work of university students in Kakamega
Kabras Sugar Saturday earned a bonus point victory in a 49-3 humiliation of Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in their opening match of the 2021-2022 Kenya Cup season at the Moi Showground in Kakamega.
At the same time, defending champions KCB also made a bright start in the 12-team competition, mauling Homeboyz 18-10 in a tightly contested match at Ruaraka in Nairobi on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Menengai Oilers hit Mwamba 25-19 in Nakuru as Strathmore Leos and Kenya Harlequin ran over Top Fry Nakuru 30-11 and 29-20 respectively in a double-header staged at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
Kabras, playing without 11 key members of the squad who are currently on international engagements with Kenya Simbas and Kenya Shujaa, put the Kenyatta University students Blak Blad to the sword with two tries each from Hillary Mwanjilwa and Asuman Mugerwa and a try from Emmanuel Victor and Felix Ayange. Ntabeni Dukisa added the extras.
“We did not play any friendly matches in the off-season, so we were a bit rusty, but we are happy with the win. We have used the match as a platform for building a strong foundation. It has given us a good opportunity to see the younger players in action, and it will be a good experience to see them fight for starting places when 12 senior players we missed return. We still need to work on our combinations and systems and keep improving on the set-pieces,” Kabras Sugar’s assistant coach, Edwin Achayo, said.
Achayo was referring to Kabras players who turned out for the national team in a three-week tour in South Africa.
The players, who include Daniel Sikuta, Brian Tanga, Barry Robinson, Jone Kubu, Derrick Ashiundu, Stephen Sakari, George Nyambua, Brian Juma, Ephraim Oduor, Eugine Sifuna and Joseph Odero, returned on Saturday.
Kevin Wekesa is with Kenya Shujaa for the Dubai leg of the 2021/22 World Rugby Series.
Kabras, who lost 28-25 in last season’s final against KCB at Nandi Bears, gave maiden starting berths to Edwin Oyoo and Patrick Sabati, with Kenya Under-20 players John Baraka, Collins Indeche and William Oapaka as well as Thomas Simiyu getting a taste of the big-league.
Results
Men
Strathmore Leos 30 Top Fry Nakuru 11 (RFUEA)
Kenya Harlequin 29-20 Impala Saracens
Menengai Oilers 25-19 Mwamba (Moi Showground Nakuru)
Kabras Sugar 49-3 Blak Blad (Moi Showground Kakamega)
Mmust 24-15 Nondescripts (Lurambi, Kakamega)
Women
Mwamba 38-13 Top Fry Nakuru 13 (RFUEA)
Ruck It 7-98 Yamanashi Impala Saracens (Impala Club)
Homeboyz v Northern Suburbs (postponed).
