The Standered Chartered Impala Rugby Academy ended the 3 year Impala rugby family trophy drought this weekend. The Ian Mabwa captained team was quick to send an early warning to visitors Shieywe in the final. In the early moments of the first half, centre Billy Odhiambo passed the ball to his captain, the speedy open side winger. Mabwa would evade one tackler, chip over the next defender, and collect the favourable bounce and swan dive over the line. Fullback Hassan Nyakundi complement his effort with the conversion for the scoreboard to read 7-0, Impala 7.
A seemingly resurgent Shieywe then took the battle to Impala camping in their half. Their efforts would come to nought with the young Impalas turning over the ball and kicking it deep into Shieywe territory. In the dying moments of first half, Impala would be awarded a penalty 50 metres away. Nyakundi’s low kick drifted wide, closing the first half with an unchanged 7-0 scoreling for Impala.
Impala began the 2nd half with promise when Bill Omondi crashed at midfield, creating a platform for an explosive Clinton Musonye run. Musonye’s run was stopped just at the edge of the try box. With the ruck not secured, Shieywe turned over and punched a wide gap between the ruck and flyhalf Harrison Asena. The ensuing chase was only stopped by a Mark Kwemoi tackle inside the Impala 22. Defensive impatience by forward Allan Ongori was punished by Shieywe slotting in the penalty, 7-3 Impala.
Forward play patience bore the Ngong Road Academy fruit in the 48th minute after lock Mabior Jannaphille took the ball in at midfield, passed to scrumhalf Mohammed Omolo who, in turn, passed it to flyhalf Harrison Asena. An intricate interplay of passes between Odhiambo and Mabwa gifted Asena the final pop to go over the line. Nyakundi’s’s conversion kick fell short. 12-3 Impala. The Shieywe pounding continued 2 minutes later after a scrum deep in Shieywe turf.
Omollo delivered a dive pass to Asena. Dummy switch runner Leon Moody pulled the defence, unfurling a 10 metre wide gap for Odhiambo to burst through. Try time! Nyakundi good with the conversion good, Impala 19 Shieywe 3. A subsequent Omollo try, converted by Nyakundi closed the score at 26-3, Impala. sent the Impala crowd roaring “Okombe time!” roared the long suffering fans.