Kenya Cup match day 12, turned out an emotional match with Resolution Impala Saracens driving for the Samson Odhiambo (Chums) Memorial Cup. The Kenyan Sarries last won this Cup, played in honour of a late player of both clubs, in 2012.
Impala would be first on the board. After an intense series of early exchanges, fullback George Okowa punished a ruck infringement by the Red Lion converting the penalty for a 3-0.lead.
The Nondies fullback Brian Beckham would soon return Okowa’s favour when he converted a penalty from an Impala breakdown in the 22.
The restart saw the Sarries rack up the pressure in the Nondies half. Kenya Sevens international Biko Adema’s 22m kick, out on the full, worsened matters. Impala would opt for a scrum by their dominant forwards, from that error.
The Gazelles would, from that platform, launch a series of positive carries resulting in a try by inside centre Robert Aringo. Okowa would add the conversion points bringing the scores to 10-3, Impala.
Scrum half Mohammed Omollo would then be at the heart directing quickfire Impala picks and drives. A blindside pass from him to flyhalf Nato Simiyu would see Simiyu sell an outrageous dummy to score Impala’s second try. Okowa would convert for a 17-3 scoreline.
Beckham would then punish an Impala breakdown concentration lapse converting the resulting Nondies penalty to narrow their deficit to 17-6.
Impala would then turn on a typical Gazelles running display. Starting from an eighth man pick, captain Duncan Ekasi would set up Omollo who would combine interpasses with Simiyu, openside winger Quinto Ongo and outside centre Samuel Motari, who finally scored on the left corner. Okowa would miss the conversion, in the final act of the half.
The Resolution Insurance sponsored side would run back to the changing room with a 22-6 lead.
The 2nd half begun with a kickfest as the two sides sought to gain territorial dominance. It is, however, Impala that would first sound the board when Omollo’s quick penalty tap, dummy and run to commit Adema led to Simiyu’s brace of tries. Adema would receive a yellow card for his no arms charge on Omollo. Replacement fullback Samuel Oliech (Okowa) would add the extras to extend the lead to 29-6 for the Ngong Road side.
The rub of the green would save Nondies blushes when they kicked an open kick fielded by Oliech. The Kenya fullback would slice through the advancing Nondies defence, at the halfway mark to release blindside winger Ian Minjire into space. Minjire would find Motari on his inside for an apparent glorious try. But, referee Sarah Otieno would judge the Oliech-Minjire pass forward. The game was now truly alight!
Replacement scrum half Kabao Muruatetu (Evans Musili) would reward Nondies territorial and possession effort with a drop goal from the ruck base to lower the score difference to 29-9.
The Sarries would reply with a scrum setpiece first phase movement that saw Simiyu introduce Minjire. He still had a 35 metre run before grounding. Oliech would convert to push the scores to 36-9, Impala.
Simiyu would then charge down a Muruatetu box kick, pick the ball, play in replacement blindside flanker Joel Omer who would score centrepost to further break the Nondies spirit. Oliech would notch the extras for the 43-9, Impala score. Simiyu would then turn villain when he butchered a 3v1 try pass by attempting an inside step.
The Impala flyhalf would however make ammends when he tackled and ripped off a Nondies ball, in their 22, to score his hat trick in a man of the match performance. Oliech’s conversion would take Impala to the half century mark and a final 50-9 score.
The Nondescripts RUFC chairman Thomas Opiyo would then present the ‘Chums’ trophy to Ekasi, flanked by the Resolution Impala Saracens chairman Oduor Gangla. The Resolution Insurance Group CEO Peter Nduati, who played with Odhiambo, gave a tribute to the fallen player.
The Resolution-backed side consolidated their top of the table position, with this result, at 51 points. KCB and Kenya Harlequins are second and third respectively with 46 points.