A Steve Otieno try placed the visitors in the lead in the early minutes of the first half. Brian Gisemba’s boot flew short of the posts. Xavier Kipng’etich, Resolution Impala Saracens Boks fly-half of the afternoon put direction on a 51 metre penalty kick but his kicking was just short of propulsion. He however went ahead to send one flying over the posts minutes later lowering the point difference between the two teams to only 2.
Homeboyz’ Keith Wasike went over the chalk to score but Gisemba’s attempt at finding the posts went short for the second time in succession. Homeboyz woud visibly get dirty within rucks. Impala’s Joshua Momanyi complained of a punch in the face by Thomas Okidia but the referee binned Wasike instead. While Wasike was out serving 10 minutes in the sinner’s chair, Kipng’etich missed one penalty but a wonderful 70 metre run by Emmanuel Okeya was completed by rampaging Timothy Makiya. Kipng’etich was not having a good first half with the boot. He failed to convert. Homeboyz enjoyed the better of forward play in this half. After working to set camp in Impala territory and frustrating the Impala defence, a penalty was awarded. Gisemba kicked over for an 8-13 half time score line. Homeboyz were in the lead.
Quinto Ongo took over kicking from Kipng’etich & kicked over penalty from 45 metres bringing scores to Impala 11-13 Homeboyz. Kipng’etich missed a drop goal opportunity earlier on. Ongo would boot over another penalty just outside 22 to place Impala ahead by just one point. Paul Murunga’s charges would have gone 6 points ahead earlier on, but they missed the posts on two easy-to-find penalty opportunities. Replacement fly-half – Haroun Lubisia later on kicked over one. Brian Rotich, who moved from fly-half to scrumhalf after Gisemba was substituted for Lubisia, kicked over another to send the scoreboard reading Homeboyz 19-14 Impala. Impala would have forced the match into extra time or won had substitute 8th man – Mtalaheri Mathew kept the ball in scrum. Impala had another opportunity to win the match but was openly denied a penalty-try by shifty 80th minute officiating which players & fans openly protested.
Players within the Resolution Impala Saracens Boks will now have to fight it out for a chance to board the Gazelles bus to Kakamega this week when the team goes against Kabras Sugar RFC in the 2017 Enterprise Cup Semis after winning 25-15 against arch rivals – Kenya Harlequins in the Enterprise Cup Quarters.
