Nakuru would have started the match trailing hadn’t it been Nato Simiyu’s blind pass that assumed Ochami would have been running flat. On realizing that Impala were a little unsure of the contest, Nakuru used their territorial kicking prowess. A punt deep in Impala half by Gramwel Bunyasi would slip from Oliech’s hands. Edwins Makori’s pounce and subsequent power run to the try box would set the atmosphere alight. Martin Muita’s attempt failed to get through the posts for a 5-0 Nakuru lead. Impala would have cut the trail by 3 points, but Oliech’s penalty attempt went begging.
Impala’s three glowing splints of resurgence would be switched off time after time by Nakuru’s solid defence. However, a slight opening in midfield, gifted Onsomu space to gain yardage. The resultant ruck found Nakuru’s defence line on the back foot. Brilliant interplay within the backs would find Nato open. His feet would power all the way to the try box. His efforts would be complimented by Sammy Oliech’s crisp conversion.
Things would later on look tricky for Impala’s technical bench after a heavy hit on Daniel Abok by Nakuru’s Dalmus Chituyi. The flanker, who seemed to enter contact at an undesirable body position, was limped off the pitch after extensive on pitch medical consultation between the paramedics. In his place came Joel Omer, who held his own formidably throughout the rest of the half & was massively influential in helping close the half at 7-5 much to Ollows’ relief.
Nato Simiyu’s brilliance in kicking came alive in the second half. His pin point territorial placement came in handy to force Nakuru’s stay in own half. Oliech’s kick would convert Nakuru’s lapse in discipline into 3 points. Samuel Motari would then stretch Nakuru’s defence to score at the corner. A try that was neatly converted by Oliech stretching Impala’s lead by 12 points. Play of the weekend must have come from Paul Mutsami’s run in the 15. Mutsami, who is a perfect example of Academy success, fired on all cylinders. A 45 metre run that ended with a victorious dive in the try box! Oliech missed the conversion.
If Nakuru’s technical bench would have taken a shot at extravagance & got their forwards working like they did in the last 12 minutes of the game, the full time score board reading would have been a smile on their faces. However, it was a case of too little too late as two unconverted tries scored off forward play by the visitors did little to dampen Oliech’s kicking confidence. The Impala fullback who just missed out of the Kenya 7s team to Wellington slotted in two penalties to confirm that the win by the Resolution Insurance sponsored team at Suguta Valley in December 2015 was no fluke.
Full Time: Resolution Impala Saracens 28-15 Top Fry Nakuru RFC
