RESOLUTION Impala Saracens survived a scare to walk out of the Lions Primary School in Kakamega with a 2 point win over Western Bulls.
Bulls go 5 ahead, but Onsomu and Omollo close the pen
After 11 minutes of play, Western Bulls’ Carlos Mukubwa was shown yellow by referee – Linus Kinuthia for a high tackle on Impala prop – Daniel Ndome. It was expected that the Gazelles would take advantage of the one-man deficit and score but the hosts would prove obstinate. Fielding kick after kick, catching Impala fullback George Okowa unawares in 4 out of 4 events. Western Bulls almost earned 3 points off drop goal in the 15th minute, but Isaac Wafula’s boot flew wide. Impala would later on cave in to Bulls’ pressure in the 20th minute when fullback Danny Abuyeka touched down at the corner. Wafula missed the conversion. Impala were trailing and a necessary change at fullback needed to be made. Robin Kiplang’at came in for Okowa.
Grit filled forward play by Impala coupled by scrumhalf Samson Onsomu’s quick spotting of gap between Bulls’ forwards and backs got Impala back into the match. Mohammed Omollo’s success at converting got the scoreboard reading 7-5 Impala. Left with a minute to the close of the first half, Omollo would boot over penalty, stretching Impala’s lead to 10-5.
Western Bulls’ replacement fly-half Kevin Asena who wears a feared boot was off to a cold start. He missed a penalty with the posts in clear sight at the beginning of the 2nd half. Wonderful interplay by Impala’s forwards led by Captain Duncan Ekasi and complemented by impressive line-breaking by Kerre Erick set platform for an Onsomu pass to Omollo. Omollo commited two defenders, missed Anthony Nyandigisi and landed the pass in Leon Adongo’s hands. All Adongo needed to do was strut into the box at the corner. Omollo was good with the boot, stretching Impala’s lead to 17-5 at the 52nd minute.
The remainder of the match would be for Western Bulls to dominate. Territorial booting by Abuyeka and Asena kept Impala on the back foot. Impala’s scrum was heavier, but Bulls’ forwards more nimble, hitting just inches past the gain line and gradually eating up ground. It was not long before Asena tore Impala’s defence. His hands pocketed Wafula’s pass, quick sidestepping later and a try to cap it all off. He converted his own. The scoreboard read 17-12 in Impala’s favor at the 59th minute. He would go ahead to narrow his team’s trail by only 2 points when he split the posts after indiscipline by Impala in the 65th minute. Omollo had the chance to close the match but his attempt at raking in the threes hit the post.
Bulls’ Kevin Asena wins the game for Impala
Asena would have pierced Impala on two occasions. His 50 metre penalty attempt at the posts in the 76th minute went short. His defining attempt at the posts on the 79th minute with just 40 metres flew wide. He would have won the match for the hosts, but lady luck stood him up for a date with the visitors.
FT: RESOLUTION Impala Saracens 17-15 Western Bulls RFC