The Resolution Impala Saracens Boks side sports a complete change in the front-row that won the 2016/17 ESS trophy on 23rd April 2017.Hosea Ngesa and Meshack Tunechi are starting props in the 4pm fixture against Kenya Harlequins. Hooker Daniel Ndome starts of the bench in that match. Onsongo Nyamwaya, Jimmy Mwangi & Joshua Momanyi have been given the okay to start by head coach – Frank Ndong’.
Stephen Ayora’s absence at lock is filled by debutant Tobias Otieno. He will partner with Shem Angugo.
Erick K’Opondo who started at open-side flank in his last competitive rugby match switches to the blind-side. Steve Shammah returns from a long absence to start as open-side flanker. Cosmas Valentino starts at 8th man.
Ian Mabwa starts at his regular scrum-half position. Chipu scrum-half – Xavier Kipng’etich will be at fly-half. Carlos Raoul replaces Joash Ngesa to start at inside centre. Patrick Mutuku retains his starting outside-centre position.
Brian Opar has been named in the Gazelles team to take on Quins. His left wing position is taken by David Moenga. Captain Quinto Ongo starts on the right wing. Mark Kwemoi’s absence creates opportunity for the hard tackling Timothy Makiya to show what he can do at full-back.
The Resolution Impala Boks beat Homeboyz RFC II twice in the 2016/17 ESS League. Impala first employed clever play to beat the DJs 29-8 at the Jamhuri ASK Showground on 26th November 2016. Winning the second leg however needed more than intelligent play. The boys had to dig deeper than ever to overcome Homeboyz 24-20. They had been trailing 0-20 at half-time.
Are the trophies collected by the Boks enough? Are they still hungry for more silverware? We’ll know the finer details by 4pm this Saturday, 13th May 2017
Starting XV
1. Onsongo Nyamwaya
2. Jimmy Mwangi
3. Joshua Momanyi
4. Tobias Otieno
5. Shem Angugo
6. Erick Kopondo
7. Steve Shammah
8. Cosmas Valentino
9. Ian Mabwa
10. Xavier Kipng’etich
11. David Moenga
12. Carlos Raoul
13. Patrick Mutuku
14. Quinto Ongo(C)
15. Timothy Makiya
Replacements
16. Collins Chogo
17. Victor Ochieng
18. Michael Munyua
19. Rainer Omondi
20. Matthew Mtalaheri
21. Michael Ochieng
22. Sidney Chacha
23. Emmanuel Okeya
