All that the Resolution Impala Saracens Gazelles needed to do was take advantage of Nakuru’s 2 man deficit at some point in the second half, strike with brutality & close the game, but the contrary happened.
Nakuru’s Geoffrey Ominde kicked over penalty in the 5th minute to place Nakuru ahead. Youngster – Bradley Ochieng who has been maturing with every match cut short Nakuru’s lead. His 21st minute try scored off electric speed sent the Impala Club bleachers bursting in raucous cheer. Xavier Kipng’etich’s attempt at adding the extras struck wide.
HT: Resolution Impala Saracens 5-3 Top Fry Nakuru
Poor concentration in Impala defence flung open a wide door for Nakuru’s Crispin Onyango to score at the 46th minute. Fly-half Duncan Abuyeka’s right foot drilled the conversion for a 10-5 Nakuru lead. Nakuru would have gone 3 points ahead at the 50th minute but Ominde’s boot struck wide. Impala’s Eric Kerre brought the Impala club back to life when he pounced on a loose ball inside the try box. Quinto Ongo’s attempt at converting went wide. Gramwel Bunyasi found himself on the wrong side of the law after a high tackle. Referee – Constant Cap showed him yellow. Nakuru Captain – Edwin’s Makori was shown red after a disagreement with the referee, an event that riled up Nakuru players to contemplate exiting the field of play. Consultations between match officials lessened the punishment to a yellow card. Impala could have used this 2 man deficit to go ahead, but unforced errors by the Gazelles boosted Nakuru’s drive to defend. Gramwel Bunyasi came back from the sin-bin to score but Ominde failed to convert. Swanton Maina would thereafter burn 40 metres to scoring at the corner. Ominde failed to convert. Although Anthony Nyandigisi managed to slice up Nakuru’s backline before releasing Billy Omondi to score, it was a case of too late for the Gazelles.
FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 15-20 Top Fry Nakuru
This loss has Impala dropping to 7th with 35 points. Nakuru rise up to 6th with 37 points.
The Kenya Cup Log as on 16th March 2019
1. Kabras Sugar – 59
2. KCB – 59
3. Kenya Harlequins – 44
4. Nondescripts – 41
5. Stanbic Mwamba – 38
6. Top Fry Nakuru – 37
7. Resolution Impala Saracens – 35
8. Menengai Cream Homeboyz – 27
9. Menengai Oilers – 22
10. BlakBlad – 16
11. Strathmore – 14
12. Mean Machine – 7
