Kenya Rugby: Mwamba Face Quins in Floodlit Final

Mwamba RFC and Kenya Harlequin FC will meet in the final of the 26th Impala Floodlit tournament after edging out their opponents Impala and Kenya Commercial Bank in the semi-final on Saturday evening at Impala Club.

The black shirts edged out hosts Impala 16-15 in a gripping semi final which was not decided until in the final minute of the match. Quins survived a second half rally but ejected last year’s champions KCB 15-10.

In the schools category, last year’s champions Nairobi School also lost 6-7 to Alliance High School and earlier Mang’u reached the final by beating Lenana 10-3 to ensure that this year’s title gets custody in Central Province

Mwamba 16, Impala 15

Mwamba posted their first win over Impala in over eight years to reach the final. George Mbaye, a recent call up to the national seven-a-side rugby team scored a try in the 80th minute to take his tally to five and bring Mwamba to within one match of the title. Tito Oduk, who moved from Quins this season, kicked over a penalty for Mwamba in the eighth minute.

Oduk missed a massive penalty attempt from the halfway in the 15th minute before the Impala rally begun. Impala captain Nato Simiyu initiated and scored the first try in the 30th minute after combining well with Mitch Ocholla.

Felix Makori converted for the lead to change hands 7-3 in Impala’s favour. Oduk put over his second penalty in the 36th minute but Simiyu crossed over for his second try for Impala to lead 12-6 at half time.

Lavin Asego narrowed the gap 9-12 for Mwamba with a penalty in front of the posts in the 65th minute. Simiyu appeared to have sealed the game with a drop kick one minute later.

Impala forward Kevin Umbuge was yellow carded and Mwamba took advantage. Twice they came near scoring before Mbaye went over. All attention was on the decisive conversion by Asego who kept a cool head to kick Mwamba into the final.

Mwamba captain Steve Sewe said: “It is a new side who held up well,” said the scrum half. Man-of-the-match winner Simiyu said his team played well but Mwamba took their chances.

Quins 15, KCB 10

Champions KCB camped in the Kenya Harlequin FC half for the better part of the second half but failed to score. Bill Githinji, their new coach said they lost because they did not take their chances.

Edward Kinyany, the Quins’ head coach admitted this was a hard game. “We expected a tough match against the outgoing champions but the players kept a cook head especially when KCB appeared to have an edge,” he explained.

Harun Lubisia opened the scores for KCB in the seventh minute before Lewis Olaka levelled for Quins in the 22nd minute. Murunga restored KCB’s lead in the 37th minute but Tony Mutai levelled for Quins in the 40th minute and Innocent Simiyu converted for a 12-10 lead for Quins at half time. Simiyu put over a penalty in the 52nd minute. Olaka was yellow carded in the 58th minute but KCB failed to use the numerical advantage.

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