After parading taunts on social media an hour before coming out of the holding area, Homeboyz came out of the pitch a humbled 12.
Nick Odera’s charges went into this game pensive. A permutation was very clear. If we lost to Homeboyz, we were going to have to swallow the pain of playing in the bowl competition. A fast paced first half got both teams fighting for possession. It was going down to who would tackle harder than who could run faster.
A mix of passes early in the first half opened Pius Shiundu to grounding the ball. A missed conversion got the scoreboard reading 5-0 in Impala’s favor. It goes without doubt that Homeboyz were a worthy opponent and fans initially had doubts of Nick Odera’s choice to field Kevin Ochami. But he rose to the plate. Countering attacks machinated by Mickey Wanjala & Augustine Lugonzo. Nato’s defence stepped dozen notches higher. His strength in contact closed out all doors and even windows for any Oscar Ayodi attempt at tearing through the gain line. The opponent’s scrum down seemed stronger but Onsomu’s short reaction time stopped impeding attack dead on its tracks. Impala could have scored a last minute try if Kevin Ouma would have opted to play the ball wide. His choice of kicking it out after hearing the buzzer was however wise. 7s rugby is a tricky affair. A win however small, is still a win.
The 12 Gazelles will now go against Total Nondies in the 1st Main Cup Quarter final at the RFUEA tomorrow 2nd August 2015.