Resolution Impala Saracens kicked off its 2016 Impala Floodlit campaign with an assured 35-15 win over Strathmore Leos.
Playing in the third club match Saturday, the Gazelles practically held all the possession in the first ten minutes before scoring a maul try through eigth man Duncan Ekasi. Fullback Samuel Oliech added the extras.
Earlier, Top Fry Nakuru RFC had beaten Blak Blad RFC 29-10 while Kenya Harlequins needed a late rally to see off Mwamba RFC 15-5.
Centre Anthony Nyandigisi would then ground fly half Nato Simiyu’s well timed cross kick after sustained Gazelle pressure. Oliech would slot the corner kick for a 14-0 lead.
The Leos would then put up resistance for a more even exchange. The lethal attack combination of Simiyu and Oliech would exchange passes to release right wing Quinto Ongo who still need a left fend before touching down. Ongo would convert the corner kick for a three score difference at half time.
The Leos would come from half time fired up to score two tries, one a converted maul try with the Kenya U19 captain Gerry Odero outstanding. 21-12, Impala.
The Sarries would snuff the air out of the Madaraka momentum with an Ongo penalty conversion moving the score to 24-12.
A further Leos penalty conversion would return the difference to nine points at 24-15 for Impala.
The Ngong Road side would then rev up in the last quarter with the replacements coming in.
Left wing Ian Minjire would first finish a big run initiated by incoming inside centre David Dinda. Then Minjire would complete a series of furious forward carries guided by reserve scrum half and Kenya U19 player Xavier Kipng’etich. Final score: 34-15, Impala.
The Resolution backed side proceed to the #Floodies2016 semi finals where they will play Kenya Harlequins in one more instalment of the ever exciting Ngong Road Derby.
KCB play the other semi versus Top Fry Nakuru. They qualified after getting over the Homeboyz scare to win their quarter final match 28-19 . They stay in the hunt for a fourth consecutive title.
