Impala Saracens captain Duncan Ekasi has praised the effort filled display exhibited by his front row over the weekend. The team, after receiving a thorough revamp in its halfback- flyhalf combination powered in a narrow 18-16 win over a speedy, lean and equally drilled outfit from the Railways Sports Club- Mwamba Rfc. Impala Saracens entered the match the clear underdogs with spectators and rugby pundits alike expecting a loss from the Gazelles. But this was not the result when the formidable front row of Ezekiel Chege, Kelvin Karani and Robert Kweya took the Mwamba forwards head on, thwarting every Mwamba effort at winning the scrum and getting the better share of wins at the line outs.
‘The halfback combination of Moses Kola and Nato Simiyu was a significant game changer; they are players who have played at the knock out level before and their inclusion bore fruit. We however are going to be forced to consider inviting the services of an exuberant Anthony Matei or Michael Mugo at scrumhalf when we meet KCB over the weekend. This is meant to fill up Kola’s position who sustained a concussion during the weekend clash’, says an optimistic Nick Abok- Impala Saracens team manager.
Impala Saracens fullback, Ian Minjire was identified by the captain as the man who stood out to play his heart. Ian who has since slipped into Vincent Mose’s jersey with ease, recorded his pleasure at the Saturday score; ‘I went into this match cautious of Mwamba Rfc flyhalf- Lavin Asego’s tactical kicking. I knew that if I was good in the air, I could completely neutralize his kicking’. And true to this, his sure ball handling skills in own territory managed to extinguish any arsonist chances lobbed on his team by Lavin’s boot. Other players that played their heart out were trusted flyhalf- Nato Simiyu, winger Quinto Odhiambo and the ever tackle -possessed flanker Joel Omer.
The match that saw Joel Omer, Quinto Odhiambo and Eric K’opondo score a try each, and capped by a neat Nato Simiyu penalty slotting, has already set a platform for the biggest Enterprise cup semifinal duel this weekend.