Resolution Impala Saracens have booked a Main Cup Quarter Final match with Menengai Oilers after topping Pool C of Driftwood 7s on points difference.
Impala had a challenge with the first match of the day: Robin Kiplang’at couldn’t find the extras with his foot after Ian Minjire scored the first try of the match. Kiplang’at’s inaccuracy at finding the posts was regretted at the buzzer. Edward Omundo took advantage of Impala’s lapse in concentration and grounded the ball under the posts. Kevin Otieno had no issues converting.
The Gazelles had to wait until the final minutes of the first half to break into Mombasa Sports Club try-box. Paul Mutsami dived into the box after a long kick by George Okowa. Kiplang’at didn’t find the posts. Another try from Mutsami and one each from Ian Mabwa, Minjire & Leon Adongo, that all went unconverted ensured a 25-0 Impala win. The first win of the day.
Ian Minjire set the tempo in a hotly contested match against KCB where Impala possessed the ball for most of the 14 minutes. Robin Kiplang’at didn’t collect the extras. KCB Martin Owilla scored right under the posts. Darwin Mukidza found it very easy kicking over the conversion & placing the Lions in the lead. Kiplang’at would however provide much needed support to Joel Omer with only 5 metres left to the try-line. He dived over for try but his boot narrowly missed the posts to get Impala back in the lead. Kiplang’at would in the final minutes of the second half kick deep into KCB territory. Ian Mabwa sprung out of Impala half & into KCB half. KCB’s Brian ‘TicoTico’ Omondi was not favored by the bounce. Mabwa pocketed the ball & sprinted into the try box. Kiplang’at converted! Game-Shot! Impala won 17-7 & booked a Main Cup Quarter Final date with Menengai Oilers.
Oscar Osir, Resolution Impala Saracens 7s coach:
I would call it more of a hiccup. We couldn’t execute our game plan. The muscle memory wasn’t there. We had learnt how to dance in training, but came to the concert & couldn’t dance in rhythm. It is our first tournament, there is the humidity challenge, but it happens to everyone who is playing in their first tournament of the series at some point. I however have to give it to Machine. They came at us hard. You can tell they came to play by their performance. We went into the KCB game prepared. The boys had prepared psychologically for the match. Our understanding was they had some XV players in their team and understood that we needed to stretch out the game. Although KCB scored a centre post try, Impala came out to reply with 2 more tries.
Nick Abok, Resolution Impala Saracens 7s coach:
We played three & lost one today. The loss to Machine must have been the defining moment. The players took ownership of that loss & acknowledged that they are the ones that dumped themselves into that hole. No one else could have pulled them out if it was not themselves. They showed massive effort in the 2nd half of the Impala-Mombasa match & totally played their hearts out in the Impala-KCB win.
Bryan Jarra, Resolution Impala Saracens Veteran:
I am happy with the final performance of the day. The boys knew what lay ahead of them & played to their strengths. I knew they would win the moment they walked out through the tunnel. That was the true spirit of Impala Time!
Vincent Makanga, Impala Veteran & Kenya 7s 1998 Commonwealth Games team player:
I have watched the boys play today. My standout aspect of these players is that they have been improving by the day. Maybe some fans assumed they were lethargic after the Mean Machine loss but with every minute thereafter, pockets of flair were opened & I am happy with them having beaten KCB this evening.
Peter Nduati, Resolution Insurance Group CEO & Impala Veteran:
2 things; we need to make sure we work on technically – they are to do with our passing instinct & discipline. We’ve been penalized a number of times today because of these 2. I am however happy with how the boys played against KCB! I am a proud Impala this evening!
Jeff Gangla, Veteran & former Impala Chairman:
I enjoyed the game against the bankers. Our defence was big & although we gave away many penalties, we outshone them. The last try by Ian Mabwa against the green shirts was my highlight of the day. This edition of Driftwood 7s is however an open tournament. If you watched the last round of matches, you would notice that anyone could win this leg & that level of competition is really good for rugby.
