It was the visitors that were first on the board at the Impala club, when Edwins Makori pounced on a misjudged high ball to go over, for a 5-0 lead.
This was inside the opening 15 minutes of play, it had so far been a cagey start to the encounter with both sides prodding trying to look for chinks in each other’s armors. Nakuru were the first to settle into their stride, predictably after that try. Their forwards were now bossing the set pieces, especially the scrum.
As the half wore on, Impala grew in stature, their backs getting more menacing with every carry. It was then only a matter of time before they made a mark on this encounter. From deep in their territory, Nato Simiyu spotted a gap in the Nakuru back line, to release Oliech, who darted the better part of 40 meters before passing to Ochami.
Ochami then cut back in to find Nato Simiyu who jinked past two tacklers to ground the ball, Oliech converting to make it 7-5 just before the breather.
At the half time break, Nakuru looked like they were primed for a win here. Despite Impala finishing off stronger, the Nakuru forwards had dominated proceedings. Impala were on the ascendancy and had showed late on just how lethal they could be with ball in hand.
The hosts started the second half, picking up from where they had left it. Their early pressure saw Oliech slot in a penalty off an infringement at a ruck for a 10-5 lead. They were just getting started.
A loose ball off a Nakuru ruck, saw the ball swing wide to find Samuel Motari who showed his opposite number a clean set of heels to go over, Oliech adding the extras to make it 17-5. Nakuru were now in 6s and 7s, it was about to get worse.
A Nakuru clearance kick would be gathered by Paul Mutsami who played in Simon Muniafu to break the first line of defence. Muniafu showed a great sense of awareness to commit the last defender and release Mutsami who was in support to score. The Impala forwards were just as lethal in open spaces as their backs. The score line now read 22-5.
Nakuru had to come up with something soon if they were to get back into this encounter. They kept it at the forwards as they inched closer to the Impala line. Martin Owilla with the final charge to go over and make it 22-10.
The Wanyore were now within touching distant and would now throw the proverbial kitchen sink and utensils at Impala with about 15 minutes to play. After winning a penalty in their half they opted to go to the corner, winning the ensuing line out and setting up a maul.
There was little Impala could do to stop that rolling maul as the Wanyore went over to make it 22-15, could a come back be on the cards?
Impala had to steady the ship, with Nakuru now looking like they could get back into this match up. The Sarries were on hand to run the clock down, keeping the ball and thwarting any Nakuru attack from this point. They went on to win two penalties which Oliech slotted in for a 28-15 final score.
Impala’s stay at the top goes into its 3rd week, and well deserved as they completed the double over Nakuru. The hosts played a tactical match here, they seemed to have prepared well for the backlash at the forwards, at the backs, they were in a class of their own.
The Wanyore suffered their 3rd defeat of the season and are now in 5th spot on 25 points. They will rue this match as they failed to build on a really promising start. On the day, they were tactically inept and played nicely into Impala’s hands.
It is still early days in the league, but this Impala side is looking more menacing with every passing week. They are definitely the odd on favourites to go all the way at this point. That rebuilding phase might just be over and the glory days back!
Credit: OBSKE website
