Oroko & Kipng’etich gang up to extinguish Kanyiri
Kanyiri Kariuki would have opened the scoreboard to reading 3-0 Strathmore after 3 minutes of play, but his boot flew wide. His ingenuity at directing proceedings soon opened up space for Philemon Olang’ to go over 4 minutes later. He missed the conversion.
Elvis Oroko would take advantage of a charged box-kick bounced off Xavier Kipng’etich to scoring at the 10th minute. Kipng’etich’s boot converted with finesse for a 7-5 lead.
A series of phase changes between Strathmore forwards and backs would mould mismatch in Impala defence. Centre Cliff Mokaya had an easy run, touching down under the posts for scrumhalf Peter Muiruri to register the extras. 12-5 Strathmore.
Impala’s brute show at scrum
Impala, who currently enjoy top form scrummaging forced infringement after another from Strathmore’s Lee Wanjuhi and Barnabas Owuor in Strathmore’s 5. It was not long before Referee Adelaide Mukhebi called for a penalty try at the 32nd minute. Kipng’etich confirmed the 7 points for a 14-12 half time lead.
Shammah, Moenga, Opar tame the Leos
The Boks would come back for the next 40 a charged lot. Flanker Steve Shammah would carry his way into the box in the 41st minute. Hard running centre – David Moenga registered a try at the 47th. Brian Opar added another in the 53rd minute after a brilliant back-in pop by Patrick Mutuku. Kipng’etich’s boot found the sweet spot on all three occasions stretching Impala’s lead to 35-12.
Strathmore’s Ian Omollo would find crack in Impala’s defence through maul. His sneaked try, and Muiruri’s unsuccessful attempt at splitting the sticks closed the match at 35-17 to the Boks’ jubilation.