Sports

Strathmore and Oilers play away to last season finalists

Saturday, February 12th, 2022 04:10 | By
Kabras Sugar’s captain Dan Sikuta is tackled by Barnabas Owuor of Strathmore during a past league match at the Impala grounds on March 6. Kabras won 35-9. Photo/PD/ALEX NJUE

Kenya cup round nine will offer fans a repeat of last season’s semi-finals playoffs as teams go for each other’s jugular this weekend.

 Interestingly, four teams including KCB, Kabras, Menengai Oilers and Strathmore Leos could meet each other after the draws for the playoffs scheduled for  March 5.

Defending champions KCB will clash with Menengai Oilers at the KCB Sports club at 3.00 pm today in a match that will rekindle memories of the first semi-final in which the latter was making a maiden appearance in the fray.

 Then, Oilers, despite giving a good account of themselves, were knocked out of their race to the first cup final through a 35-17 beating as Kabras condemned Strathmore to a 39-19 defeat.

Today, battle lines are drawn although the obvious is that both teams which are unbeaten are not push-overs and will be determined to prove a point to rugby enthusiasts.

KCB vice-captain Davis Chenge told Wikendi Sport his team is determined to give the Menengai Oilers pound for pound although he expects a tough match.

 The bankers will be facing the fixture on the background of two matches where comebacks were needed to bag bonus wins. 

 “Our target remains the same which is to win but taking the Oilers for granted will be the biggest mistake we shall have made. We need to seal a home semifinal and we are approaching that match with the seriousness it deserves knowing it’s a stepping stone to our goal,” KCB vice skipper Davis Chenge.

The other highlight match will be hosted by Kabras Sugar at the Kakamega show grounds where the hosts will be hoping to extend their winning streak against the students.

 Despite losing to the hosts previously, Strathmore Leos were hoping to pick up from where they left after scoring two tries and a penalty in the second half  where the hosts managed a solitary try.

Strathmore went ahead to finish last season placed third to make this clash a vengeance-seeking one whose   achievement could reward  them position three in case third placed Oilers come out of Ruaraka without at least a losing bonus. 

The tough round nine will have three of the bottom four sides in the sole double header of the weekend to be co-hosted by Ngong’ road duo of Homeboyz and Nondescripts at the Jamhuri show ground. N

Nakuru is part of the four but will be hoping to shut MMUST at home to bid the rest farewell as a win can get the Wanyore to shoot further away and into the top six.    

Bottom placed Nondescripts will kick off the weekend in a 1pm kick off while Homeboyz will play Impala at 3.00 pm.

With Mwamba angling to climb into the top five, three other teams will be fighting to survive the relegation scare owing to short point’s gaps among the bottom four. The last match will see Blak Blad host Harlequins at K. U grounds.                               

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