RESOLUTION Impala Saracens confirmed their dominance over Strathmore Leos this Kenya Cup season when they confirmed their 24-12 first leg win with a return 29-14 win at Impala Club.
Omer, Makori open scores
Blindside flanker Joel Omer scored the first try from a pushover scrum on the back of impala’s first run from kickoff. Leos fullback George Orembo had to kick the ball dead from heavy Gazelle pressure after a run from deep in their red zone. Quinto Ongo couldn’t add the extras.
In their second visit to the Strathmore red zone, tight lock Davis Makori grounded from the back of a long maul drive. Ongo’s boot failed him a second time.
Ongo would find rhythm, booting over penalty to send Resolution Impala Saracens 13-0 clear.
Strathmore’s Eugene Nzioka would then miss an easy 30 metre kick to leave the Gazelle lead intact.
Ongo then sent the flags flying, once more, booting over a penalty to extend Impala’s lead to 16 points, after a Leos offside infringement.
Kubasu sees yellow
Loosehead prop James Kubasu would be shown yellow for a fangerous charge, in the dying minutes first half, but the Red Shirts held their own.
Defending with sheer determination, the Sarries forced a 16-0 half time scoreboard.
At the resumption, Strathmore was quick off the blocks. Left wing John Oduk, would finish a flowery display of hands, the Leos demonstrating classy support play. His dive – try, complemented by Nzioka’s conversion, cut Impala’s lead to 9 points. 16-7, Impala.
Nyandigisi’s almost…
Impala’s flowing movement involving both backs and forwards was then nearly finished with a flourish by outside centre Anthony Nyandigisi. Centre referee Marete would call it back on advice from assistant referee Emmanuel Muriithi.
Ongo’s penalty conversion from a Leos ruck infringement then pushed Impala’s lead to 19-7.
Fly half Mohammed Omollo then opportunistically picked a Leos dropped ball. He would then stretch replacement fullback Kanyiri Kariuki to score at the flag. Replacement kicker Robin Kiplang’at would miss the conversion.
Try of the year?
With four minutes on the clock, Impala captain Duncan Ekasi called a bonus try play from a scrum play ten metres from his tryline.
The team had been under the pump from incessant pressure from Strathmore driving attack in the Red Zone. Turnover. Impala put in.
Scrum half Samson Onsomu would directly feed his injury return mate inside centre, Samuel Motari. Motari drove the ball up for a quick ruck. Onsomu, quick pass to Omollo to fullback Robin Kiplang’at to blindside wing Brian Opar.
Opar, round his opposite, back inside to Kiplang’at. Kiplang’at commit one to Nyandigisi. Nyandigisi commit fullback to Omollo. Omollo, free run to the Strathmore try line and his brace. 90 metre play to a 29-7 Impala lead and bonus point try.
Strathmore would then sneak in consolation try through Meshack Odhiambo’s big angle run but although Kanyiri Kariuki converted, it was a case of too little too late for the students.
FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 29-14 Strathmore Leos
