Resolution Insurance Impala Saracens ‘travel’ to the RFUEA this weekend to meet noisy neighbors Kenya Harlequin FC. Impala who are currently at the top of the table, go into this contest with nothing but firepower & determination to turn over the tables after an unfortunate 29-22 loss last year. Most important of all, is to extend and solidify the league lead.
It is important to note that Kenya Harlequins, who seemed to match Impala in almost all departments during the first leg are climbing up the ladder fast. What cannot be discounted however, is Impala’s endurance & chin up attitude that lasts past the 80th minute; an endowment that has become a huge contributor to the team’s impressive performance this season.
Impala head coach, Mr. Fred Ollows would want to start the match on a leading note. The team has in the past 2 matches, started on a trail. First, it was the 0-10 trail to Machine before winning 55-10 & a 0-5 trail to Nakuru before winning 28-15.
Ollows has opted to maintain all the Gazelles that started against Nakuru save for Daniel Abok who failed the concussion test after a heavy hit by Dalmus Chituyi a week ago. It is expected to be a hotly contested back line battle as Samuel Oliech comes face to face with Felix Ayange, Kevin Ochami meets Frank Wanyama & Billy Omondi looks to thwart any David Ambunya attack. Robert Aringo is perfect pick for silencing Patrice Agunda & Samuel Motari would be the best choice to continuously torment William Mawira.
Interesting to note is Ollows’ choice of mobility over beef in the forwards. He has Kenya’s most promising flanker – Paul Mutsami on his starting 15. Tyson Okoth, another youthful but incisive flanker takes Abok’s place. If the front row of Stephen Juma, Daniel Ndome & Dennis Karani plays according to plan & the second row of Davies Makori & Simon Muniafu holds its own for more than 20 minutes, we expect nothing short of a barrage of tries from this unit.
The Team:
Front row: Stephen Juma, Daniel Ndome, Dennis Karani
Locks: Davies Makori, Simon Muniafu
Backrow: Paul Mutsami, Tyson Okoth, Duncan Ekasi
Scrumhalf: Samson Onsomu
Fly – half: Nato Simiyu
Centres: Robert Aringo, Billy Omondi
Backrow: Samuel Motari, Kevin Ochami, Samuel Oliech
Reserves:
Kelvins Karani, Edgar Obino, Hosea Ngesa, Erick Kerre, Joel Omer, Michael Mugo, Innocent Simiyu, George Okowa
