Resolution Impala Saracens 26-5 Pan Africa Strathmore Leos
Impala would go into the Quarters the underdogs on paper. Strathmore had won all their Pool matches and looked all set to blast through the Kenyan Sarries. After a series of phases, Nyikuli would spot a gap wide enough to slither through to touch down between the posts. Nato’s boot had no problem with earning the extras. Former Strathmore player; Samuel Motari would not spare his former team. His beautiful try was topped up by Simiyu’s neat conversion. Alex Olaba would utilize overlap advantage, but Humphrey Onyango would not find the posts. Impala had to finish the first half less one man when Nato Simiyu was shown yellow for dissent.
You would have expected the student outfit to run over the Kenyan Sarries during the few minutes that Nato was seated on the white chair. Pius Shiundu had other thoughts. His bolstering 25 metre dash left his defenders surprised & was just in time for Nato’s return to the field of play. The rugged hair fly half’s boot sent it through the posts with utmost finesse. The Resolution sponsored side continued piling pressure on Strathmore whose key marksman seemed to be Billy Odhiambo. After denying the Leos possession and heavy tackling, the students caved in. A final minute unconverted try by Paul Mutsami saw Impala striding into the Main Cup Semis.
Resolution Impala Saracens 12-7 Top Fry Nakuru RFC
Nakuru would begin by silencing the Impala crowd. An action that would send chills down many a fan. Luckily, the conversion by Geoffrey Ominde would sail wide. Both teams would exchange possession minute after minute in what could be called a boring first half. Nakuru were still ahead by a single try when the half time buzzer blared.
Impala came back stronger, Mose’s slip from the far right opened up space for a 40 metre run into the try box! Nato’s attempt at crowning this try proved dismal. Just wide. Minutes later, Onsomu would be shown yellow for dissent. A minute and a half later, Geoffrey Ominde would play dirty on Ian Minjire. The centre referee would take no explanation. His yellow card was out, signal enough for Ominde to head into the bin. Nakuru looked the stronger side, countering every Impala attempt at beating the gain line. A minute left on the clock and Samson Onsomu who was just from serving time in the bin came alive. His core shattering side step on Owilla created just the right platform for a series of passes that found Shiundu wild and free. Shiundu’s try under the posts and Simiyu’s successful booting ensured a ticket to the Main Cup finals.
Resolution Impala Saracens 22-26 Mwamba RFC
Nick Odera’s charges would come face to face with a section of the National 7s team in this encounter. It was a massive injection of confidence when Nato Simiyu swung the ball to the shorter side after ruck. His pass would be received by Ian Minjire who found Shaban Ahmed unawares. The ensuing chase ended at the try box with a try beautifully converted by Simiyu. Mwamba would employ tactical play and experience. Nato Simiyu would pick up an overhead pass from Nyikuli and headed straight into the try box. He was unfortunate with the conversion attempt. An exchange of passes and a series of offloads by the three Emonyi brothers would open up the eldest – Humphrey Khayange. The experienced Khayange would dot between the posts. Injera’s beautiful kicking got the score board reading 12-7 in Impala’s favor. Agevi’s marauding run and Injera’s successful conversion closed the first half with a 12-14 scoreline. Only 2 points separated the two teams.
The RFUEA would run wild when George Okowa went over after collecting a pass from Mutsami. Nato’s boot failed at getting the board to read 19-14. Collins Injera would make a superb run past Samson Onsomu but George Okowa would restrain him from scoring under the posts, a tactic aimed at making it harder to convert. Injera missed the conversion. Paul Mutsami got the RFUEA rising and dancing on its feet once more but Shaban Ahmed would spoil the party. His last minute try converted by Injera switched off any hopes for an Impala Main Cup win