George Okowa’s unconverted 2nd minute try gave Impala the 5-0 lead. Impala would lead for the next 14 minutes before Kabras would form maul and score through prop – Hillary Mwanjilwa. Kabras full-back Jone Kubu converted to confirm a 7-5 Kabras lead. Both sides would exchange threats but it was Impala who stayed the most in opponent half with clear chances of scoring that were blown away due to lack of concentration. After spending close to 5 minutes in Kabras 22 but not being able to score try off scrum or open play, Impala captain Duncan Ekasi called for the post. George Okowa did his best to splitting the posts for an 8-7 Impala lead. Kabras however were willing to fight to the 40th minute. A maul formed from line-out was origin of the 40th minute Edwin Achayo try. Referee Constant Cap blew his whistle for half-time as the flags stayed down after Kubu’s attempt at the posts.
Ekasi’s knock on after a Kabras restart faced capital punishment when Samson Onsomu out of desperate defending would find himself in a high tackle on Brian Tanga. His plea to have Cap’s card stay in the referee’s pocket fell on deaf ears. 10 minutes on the sinners chair as Kubu slotted in to send the scoreboard reading Impala 8-15 Kabras. Okowa had a clear chance to pile on three points for Impala from a position of clear visibility of the posts but he booted it wide. Kabras’ Kubu scored another penalty on the 53rd minute to stretch his team’s lead to 18-8. Okowa would redeem self on the 55th minute booting Impala to only a converted try short of coming back into the game. Although Kabras’ Sava Racigi would be shown yellow for dangerous play, the Impala scrum would find it hard pushing the 7 man Kabras pack past the try line even in situations where the Gazelles were only half a metre away from the chalk. A knock on by Impala would gift Kabras the put in. Kubu would receive the ball and burn metres outside own 22 and into Impala half.
Kubu took advantage of Impala loss in discipline and booted over his last penalty of the afternoon. Although Okowa kicked and slid into the Kabras try box for try & Nato Simiyu converted, it was a minute into full-time. Cap blew to end the match sending a sudden rush of mixed emotion to Impala fans who had seen a comeback warming up.
Impala hope for 2016/17 glory now resides with the Resolution Impala Saracens Boks who need to beat Quins II next weekend before booking a slot in the ESS Finals.
