How would you explain the start of the Impala Saracens Safaricom Sevens Campaign? Damp? No! warm? Yes! Nato Simiyu, Lameck Dunde, Duncan Ekasi, Richard Sidindi, Antony Nyandigisi and others wore the black, white and red outfit with pride. The Serie begun with a sneak 12-7 victory past sugar millers Kabras. University outfit Blak Blad would then provide no match. A 40-7 riot had already set Impala ahead in the pool. A surprise score would come later at the end of day 1 when the Gazelles powered past neighbors Homeboyz RFC. A 12-7 score ensuring a flawless quarter final appearance.
Main Cup Quarter finals
Impala Saracens 7 – 31 Strathmore
How well could the Impala Saracens fight when they were already trailing Strathmore Leos by 26 points at half time? Strathmore obviously dominated the ruck and setpieces too. The Impala Saracens were often caught sleeping by the fluid Strathmore offload and speed. If it were not for Nato Simiyu’s line break try, a 31-0 loss would have been registered. He also added the extras.
Impala drop to plate Semi
Impala Saracens 17- 0 Top Fry Nakuru
A number of players from Top Fry Nakuru Rfc have shared the Impala Club turf. That intensifies the rivalry between the the Gazelles and Rift Valley’s prime. A 17-0 win against a team known for its Enterprise and Kenya Cup title wins this year was a gratifying background for the Plate finals.
Plate Finals.
Impala Saracens 21- 19 Catholic University
Unexpectedly the Catholic Monks became an obstinate sparring partner. In no time they were 19-0 on the Impala Saracens! An expected whitewash had every characteristic of an upset. With only seconds left to the buzzer, Lameck Dunde’s brick heavy hand off came to play. This set him free for a dash into the try box to tie the scores. Nato Simiyu’s crisp conversion secured the Gazelles from an extra time showdown.
The Saraces-linked team now prepares to play Dala Sevens in the lakeside Kisumu city.