RESOLUTION Impala Saracens Boks meets Sportpesa Quins II in the Eric Shirley Shield semi final tomorrow. The Boks booked their semi final berth by being second in the regular season while Quins II had to dispatch Kabras II 30-11 in their qualifier match last weekend.
Boks, the ESS champions for the last two seasons, beat their Ngong Road rivals twice in the regular season. The first leg fixture was a well fought 15-13 win. In the return fixture, the Sarries were forced to dig deep to overturn a 9-15 trail to win 19-15.
The Boks have had a week’s break since beating Blak Blad 24-9 in the last regular season match. Blad made the Resolution Insurance backed side work for the win, the bonus point try coming only in the last play.
Two changes are made to the front row from that last match: Hooker Chris Mwendwa returns from ankle injury to replace SP Okoth while tighthead Meshack Tunechi replaces Onsongo Nyamwaya. Loosehead prop Hosea Ngesa retains his shirt.
Lock Kevin Okeyo returns from a concussion in training three weeks ago and will partner Shem Angugo who is also back from a knock in Kakamega against Kabras II.
The backrow sees a complete change. Daniel Abok starts at the blindside flank, Eric Kopondo is the openside flanker and Rainer Omondi is 8th man.
Rainer is returning from a knee injury he got last year. His return is bound to fortify the lineout setpiece.
The blindside flanker from the Blad II encounter, Edwin Gatungo, starts from the bench. Elvis Oroko, the openside flanker from the same match, played his debut Kenya Cup match versus Kabras last weekend and is therefore ineligible to play in this ESS knockout match.
Xavier Kipng’etich is away on Kenya Under 20 commitments. He will be replaced by regular Bok scrum half Ian Mabwa. Anthony Odhiambo’s consistency continues winning him the fly-half role.
Joash Ngesa replaces the injured Samuel Motari at inside centre while Patrick Mutuku returns to outside centre.
Billy Omondi, who started and scored a brace when the Boks last stepped out into contest is ineligible to play after being fielded in the Gazelles-Kabras match last weekend.
The back three trio remains Richard Sidindi at left wing, captain Quinto Ongo on the right and Mark Kwemoi fullback.
“Knockout ball is about mental preps and execution. The boys are ready. We are aware of the Quins love of mauling and their forwards coming round the corner,” says Impala’s Director of Rugby, Fred Ollows.
The match starts at 2pm at Impala Club.
Starting XV
1 Hosea Ngesa
2 Chris Mwenda
3 Meshack Tunechi
4 Kevin Okeyo
5 Shem Angugo
6 Daniel Abok
7 Erick Kopondo
8 Rainer Omondi
9 Ian Mabwa
10 Anthony Odhiambo
11 Richard Sidindi
12 Joash Ngesa
13 Patrick Mutuku
14 Quinto Ongo
15 Mark Kwemoi
Replacements
16 SP Okoth Otieno
17 Joshua Momanyi
18 Stephen Ayora
19 Edwin Gatungo
20 Valentino Cosmas
21 Moses Kola
22 Carlos Raoul
23 Brian Opar
