Quins, undisputed kings after crushing rivals at Grand Slam
Kenya Harlequins skipper Daniel Kiptoo in a tussle for the ball with Nakuru RFC players Martin Opondo (centre)Graham Kombo (left) during the Postapay rugby Grand slam match at RFUEA ground. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO.
Kenya Harlequin FC are the PostaPay Grand Slam rugby champions.
They overcame a heavy downpour to edge out Nakuru RFC 23-20 in extra time on Saturday at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground.
The win was worth Sh200,000 from Postal Corporation of Kenya.
It was double win and a rich pay day for Quins whose second team also overcame Kenya Commercial Bank II 23-17.
But, the pick of the day pitted Quins, the Kenya Cup League champions and Nakuru RFC who won the Zain Enterprise Cup to determine the ultimate champions.
Nakuru RFC won the hearts of the fans and the man-of-the-match award - Simon Wariuki - but Quins won the match and the cash.
Jude Thumbi who had missed crucial penalty conversions vindicated himself kicking over a penalty in the 16th minute of extra time to take the trophy to Quins.
The kick in the sixth minute of the second period of extra time was worth Sh200,000.
Watertight Nakuru defence
It was only the second time that Quins went ahead after trailing for most of the game.
Thumbi kicked over a penalty for Quins in the fourth minute but Graham Kombo cancelled the lead in the 10th minute.
Wariuki kicked over three more penalties and Thumbi one as the visitors led 14-6 at half time.
When the skies opened, Patrice Agunda slipped through what had been a watertight Nakuru RFC defence and Thumbi converted to narrow the lead to 14-11 in Nakuru’s favour.
It was Wariuki who put over two more penalties to stretch the lead 20-13 before a former Nakuru RFC player Enos Otieno crossed the line.
Thumbi converted to tie the scores 20-20. Thumbi put over the winner in extra time.
