Total Nondies v Mean Machine – 2.00pm
Total Nondies and Mean Machine will get the club quarter finals at the 2014 Airtel Impala Floodies underway when they meet at 2.00pm on Saturday afternoon at the Impala Club.
Nondies have had a good run in the last two editions of the tournament, winning the 2012 title and reaching the final last year when they were unable to retain their title, losing the championship match to KCB. The Red Lion will look to blend their experienced players with fresh talent that joined the club during the off season.
It goes without saying that the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine have a special relationship with Floodies. The students always seem to come alive, and alight under the Ngong Road lights, their brand of rugby over the years thrilling the fans and bagging them a record nine titles. They will look to relive that magic as they set out to the path towards bagging a tenth title.
Let’s wait to see how this encounter turns out to be, especially when you consider the fact that both sides have given us entertaining encounters in days gone by.
Lunch Bar Quins v Mwamba -4.00pm
Sparks always fly whenever Lunch Bar Quins meet Mwamba and fans should expect more of the same when the two sides duel in the second quarter final in the clubs category.
This match, slated to kick off at 4.00pm EAT (GMT +3) at the Impala Club will be key for both sides as they look to test themselves in the longer version of the game ahead of the Kenya Cup season that kicks off on Saturday 8 November.
Both sides will be out to give starts to their tried and tested generals whilst also offering opportunities to their new recruits. It should be a hard fought contest with semi-final qualification key on the minds of both teams.
Top Fry Nakuru v Homeboyz – 6.00pm
Reigning Kenya Cup champions Top Fry Nakuru begin their Floodlit campaign with a quarter final tie against Homeboyz RFC at 6.00pm on Saturday 11 October. Like the two clashes preceding it, this should be an entertaining match given the fact that this is the first official taste of fifteens action for both sets of teams this season.
Nakuru, back to back Kenyan club champions in 2013 and 2014 have never won this tournament. They have also previously opted to rest their more experienced players while giving a run out to the wider squad. The big question is whether they will do so this time round. That will be dependent on their list of priorities as well as their self belief.
Homeboyz is one team that has grown in stature over the five years it has been in existence. No longer pushovers, the deejays have put in some exciting displays of rugby and as they embark on another Floodlit adventure, the onus will be upon them to stand up to Nakuru and play consistently if they are to emerge with a positive result.
KCB v Resolution Impala Saracens – 7.30pm
The final club quarter final fixture on the opening day of the Impala Floodies has been termed by all and sundry as the match of the day. Defending champions KCB are up against hosts Resolution Impala Saracens and if the results from last season’s clashes between the two sides are anything to go by, fans are in for a night of thrills.
Impala stunned KCB 17-0 in their Kenya Cup fixture and pushed the bankers all the way before succumbing to a 31-24 defeat in extra time during the Enterprise Cup semifinal. There surely is no love lost between the two sides.
Impala have a mix of youth and experience that is eager to emulate their great sides of seasons past by using their home tournament as a launch pad for greater glory when the official league season kicks off in November.
KCB also have a blend of youth and experience that they will call upon as they seek to overcome this first hurdle at the tournament.
This match is a fitting way to close the opening round of fixtures.
Gates open at 9am, Charges Ksh 300