Challenge Trophy Quarters:
Resolution Impala Saracens vs Resolution Kisii
Patrick Mutuku scored Resolution Impala Saracens’ first try. He converted for the 7-0 lead, but Resolution Kisii had other plans. They scored and converted to level matters. Just before the two teams went into half-time, Resolution Kisii scored a surprise try & converted it to send Impala trailing. Impala’s Richard Sidindi stunned Kisii defence when he wiggled out of tackles enroute try box. He converted to send the scoreboard reading 14-14. Kisii threw all the hardware into the brawl and scored a try under the posts. The conversion went through to send Impala trailing 14-21. Ian Mabwa’s timely introduction enabled Impala to live past the 14th minute whistle. His try, converted by Mark Kwemoi pushed Impala into sudden death. Although the Gazelles were stubborn in not allowing Kisii win the match easily, a small crack in Impala defence opened opportunity in the corner. Kisii took it and celebrated it like never before
FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 21-26 Resolution Kisii
13th Place Semi:
Resolution Impala Saracens vs Narvskaya Zastava RC
Patrick Mutuku’s try, which he converted, opened up what would thereafter be a rout against the Russians. Douglas Ochako fended his defender on the wing and cruised to the try-box. Mutuku converted once more for the 14-0 lead. The Russians scored one try just before the half-time buzzer but couldn’t convert.
HT: Resolution Impala Saracens 14-5 Narvskaya Zastava RC
Narvskaya Zastava RC scored just after the kick off whistle but got unlucky with the conversion attempt that followed. Impala wonder-kid Anthony Odhiambo, who announced his debut into premier sevens competition this year dotted at the corner but failed to find the extras. Paul Mutsami wrestled out of 2 Narvskaya Zastava RC defenders to scoring under the posts. Mutuku’s boot got the scores reading 26-10. Mutuku went on to cut through Russian defence with ease. His conversion closed proceedings.
FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 33-10 Narvskaya Zastava RC
13th Place Final:
Resolution Impala Saracens vs Menengai Oilers
Menengai Oilers were quick off the blocks, scoring a try in the early minutes of the match. The conversion went through. Although Impala looked resurgent in attack, handling errors denied them any point in the first half.
HT: Resolution Impala Saracens 0–7 Menengai Oilers
Mark Kwemoi whirred past Oilers defenders. He failed to find the posts on the conversion attempt. The Oilers controlled a larger duration of the second half & won themselves the match when they scored an unconverted try just a minute before full-time.
FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 5-12 Menengai Oilers
The 14th place finish at Christie 7s adds a paltry 2 points to the previous 54 that Impala had accumulated after Dala 7s. Impala, who finished 3rd in the 2017 National Sevens Circuit with 93 points, have finished 8th this year with 56 points. The team will now shift focus to the 2018 Impala Rugby Floodlit tournament to be played on 13th, 20th & 27th October 2018 at the Impala Club. If the result from the final played against KCB on 18th November 2017 is anything to revisit, the Gazelles should be working to ensuring nothing short of thunderous display at XV rugby.
NSC 2018 Overall Standings:
1. Menengai Cream Homeboyz 122
2. Mwamba RFC 102
3. KCB Lions 94
4. Top Fry Nakuru 80
5. Kenya Harlequins 70
6. Kabras Sugar 62
7. Nondescripts RUFC 59
8. Resolution Impala Saracens 56
9. Menengai Oilers 46
10. Mean Machine 41
11. Resolution Kisii 32
12. Strathmore Leos 31
13. BlakBlad RC 22
14. Northern Suburbs 12
