Impala Bucks – the Resolution Impala Saracens development side – continued its spanking form over the weekend. Their beating Masaku RFC 23-10 allowed them to go top of table in the Nationwide League – Nairobi Region. The unit which provides a playing outlet to the Stanchart Impala Academy, led 15-0 at half time.
Captain and fullback Ian Mabwa led from the front scoring the first try. Masaku knocked on from a Bucks territorial kick. A hurried scrum resulted in number 8 Paul Mutsami pick to create a ruck platform. The quick ruck ensuing saw Mabwa score openside for a 5-0 scoreline.
Mutsami would later score from a quick tap five metres out after a second infringement had given the Bucks territory. First, the Bucks opted to kick for touch after a ruck penalty. Then, they opted to tap quickly from Masaku’s maul infringement. Mutsami was unstoppable from close quarters. 10-0, Impala Bucks.
Lock Stephen Oyara would then extend the score to 15-0 when he scored a sensational individual try from 50 metres out. He fielded a poor openside kick by Masaku and run all the way to the chalk basically unchallenged. That would seal the game’s first chapter.
In second half, Masaku would return invigorated responding with two tries, after Impala’s fly half Fidel Mukabwa converted a penalty. Masaku would use their heftier forwards to slow down the game to a more manageable pace. At this point, they freely broke tackles and offloaded to oncoming support. 18-10, Impala.
Winger Kelly Atuko would close the game with a big solo effort beating four defenders, on the way to Bucks’ bonus point. Mukabwa would confirm his bad boot day with a miss of the conversion for the scores to end at 23-10, Impala.
The Bucks play Daystar University in a crucial top bill match in the next fixture Saturday.
The other Resolution Impala Saracens feeder side, the Boks lost their Eric Shirley Shield match 25-18, in an error-riddled match. “Wastage of opportunities was our downfall in this match,” said captain Richard Sidindi. ” We had three or so clear cut chances that would have changed the tone of this match”
The Bok meet Nakuru II next Saturday at Impala Club.
