Kabras Sugar RC beat visiting Resolution Impala Saracens yesterday to qualify for their first Enterprise Cup final. The Kenya Cup champions begun the match on a high note when 8th man Apenisa Natabua picked blindside wide from a scrum, committed two defenders and offloaded to left winger Brian Tanga to score from a long run. Fabian Olando converted for a 7-0 score.
Then a raging rain storm, complete with hailtones, took over the proceedings. The two captains – Duncan Ekasi and Anthony Ogot of Impala and Kabras elected to play on. The conditions now dictated more forwards and kick oriented play in a drenched pitch.
Kabras were on the board again, against the run of play, after they repulsed Impala’s quick tap penalty play in their 22 and cleared their lines. From a lineout turnover, loosehead prop Hilary Mwanjilwa scored an unconverted try after a series of pick and drives, long defended by the Sarries forwards. 12-0, Kabras.
Impala would then dominate possession for long periods with the forwards combining interpasses, picks and drives. One such movement from inside their 10, with outstanding successive breaks by blindside flanker Joel Omer, resulted in Quinto Ongo’s blindside carry try.
The 12-5 score carried into half time.
Kabras started the second half started with high intensity with Impala mainly defending in the first quarter. They would eventually score from a lineout maul after shearing off the initial repulse from Impala. The scores now stood at 17-5.
The Gazelles would then throw everything at the sugar millers, with Omer leading the forward charge and fullback Mark Kwemoi outstanding in dealing with Kabras aerial bombs, and counterattack. The finishing would let the travellers down.
Kabras would then close the scores with a Bedan Aluda try after much spadework by Natabua. Replacement Martin Juma, a former Impala Academy player, would convert from a tight angle for the final 24-5 scoreline.
“We played our hearts out in this last match of the season. It has been a great season. I was really proud to lead this team. We will now act as sparring partners for our side in the Mwamba Cup final, this coming week. Our (Standard Chartered Impala) Academy are also in the Mwamba II final on Saturday. We will then close the season to prepare for the next,” said Duncan Ekasi, the Sarries captain.
Fred Ollows, Director of Rugby, reckoned “What many of the players lacked in experience, in this match, they gave in enthusiasm. We have now exposed more plyaers to this level of competition beyond our eight players who were unavailable due to international duty. We have laid the foundation for a highly competitive club environment, next season”
