Three lead changes and a similar number of yellow cards marked a dramatic finish of the preliminary rounds of Kenya Cup for Resolution Impala Saracens.
Poised against Strathmore Leos, who deserately needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Sarries were quickly on the backfoot when a wide ball found the backs outnumbered for right wing Cyprian Kuto to dot down. Fly half Ian Lumwaji converted from the corner.
The Gazelles would reply shortly afterwards when fly half Nato Simiyu kicked a sleek cross kick for outside centre Israel Soi to gather and score. Scrum half Mohammed Omollo would miss the conversion for the scores to remain 7-5.
The lead would change hands for the first time when after series of Impala carries, the students were caught offside for Omollo to notch a penalty conversion. 8-7, Impala.
Omollo would extend the lead to 11-7 after a ruck infringement. Lumwaji would narrow the difference to 11-10 with a penalty conversion from Impala’s holding onto the ball after tackle.
Strathmore regained the lead when outstanding eigth man Tony Owuor came round the corner to pick a Kuto offload and touch down. Lumwaji would convert a second corner kick for their 17-11 lead.
The Leos’ outside centre Churchill Ooko then got a yellow card for a high tackle. The Sarries would capitalize on the higher numbers when Soi burst through the Leon lines for his brace . Omollo’s conversion gave the game its second single point lead at 18-17 for Impala – the eventual half time score.
In the second stanza, Impala was awarded a penalty try when Kuto prevented a sure score by left wing Lameck Dunde after he and inside centre Innocent Simiyu chased down a (Nato) Simiyu punt. Omollo added the extras to extend Impala’s lead to 25-17.
(Innocent) Simiyu would then turn villain when he was temporarily sent off for a no arms charge on Strathmore fullback Tony Onyango.
It would however be the Resolution Insurance backed side that would score next with reserve scrum half Samson Onsomu’s first touch of the ball when he sniped the base of a maul. New kicker Kevin Ochami would miss the corner kick.
Strathmore then upped the ante with a series of well marshalled picks and drives. Lock Victor Odera would dive over to close the effort and narrow the difference to 30-22.
Flanker Paul Mutsami then joined Simiyu at the sinbin for a mistimed tackle on Owuor at scrum time. Tighthead prop Dennis Karani would also follow suit for kicking the ball out of scrum half Dennis Juma’s hands.
The Leos then scored a maul try from the outnumbered Impala forwards. Lumwaji would then miss the conversion from a casual stroke to leave the scores at 30-27, Impala.
Impala closed their preliminaries account with a 40 metre penalty conversion by Ochami. 33-27, full time.
“We expected Strathmore to come hard at us, and they did. It was a good test of our character and we came through,” said the team captain Duncan Ekasi. “We’ve put ourselves in a good place for the playoffs and will now work to finish off the job”
Resolution Impala Saracens go into the knockout rounds leading the log with 80 points. They, and Kenya Harlequin FC, who are second, with 78 points, have a bye to the semi finals.
“We are really proud of how the team has transformed so far. The high quality work the boys have done counts for alot because it provides the base for the challenge of the coming weeks,” said the Impala Director of Rugby, Fred Ollows. “So many hands are up for the playoffs that it helps that we are defending the Eric Shirley Shield where we ended up first in the preliminaries too”
“We are enjoying the journey and are excited at the prospects”
The Sarries will host their semi on Saturday, April 30 at Impala Club against the winner of the semi qualifier between Homeboyz RFC (4th) and KCB (5th). Kenya Harlequins host the winner of the Kabras Sugar (3rd) and Nakuru RFC (6th) tie.
The pre-semi fixtures will be held at Jamhuri and Kakamega ASK Showgrounds respectively, this coming weekend.