Nato Simiyu’s opener try in the 2nd minute set the tone for the afternoon. His efforts were however not complemented when centre George Okowa failed to convert the try.
Okowa however made ammends converting Duncan Ekasi and Leon Adongo’s tries to pile on Blad’s early woes.
Two instances of breakdown indiscipline by Impala in own half would be punished by Blad fly-half Levi Amunga.’s penalty conversions. He booted them over in quick succession to fetch six points for the students.
Duncan Ekasi added a pick-and-drive try to his 8th man scrum pick to register a brace at the corner flag. Okowa kicked over with crisp precision to close the first 40 minutes with Impala leading 26-6.
Left winger Derrick Mayar, who stood out all afternoon was awarded a penalty try in the youthful minutes of the second half. He later burnt 60 metres of the turf to score his brace at the corner. Okowa failed to find the posts.
Paul Mutsami then added his name on the scorers’ sheet. His efforts were garnished by a neatly taken conversion by Okowa. The Impala Club jolted in awe filled cheer when substitute lock – Simon Muniafu changed direction to bump off an unexpecting Blad defender. He would then side-step one and then another before pressing on the accelerator. The sequence of events leading to his 50 metre try was described by Resolution Impala Saracens Director Of Rugby – Fred Ollows as ‘Play of The Weekend’.
Loss of ball control by Impala then gifted Blad a converted try.
Kenya 7s’ back – Samuel Oliech, back substitute for the Sarries, in this match, would later coast 60 metres past Blad defence to score at the corner. Okowa’s boot couldn’t collect the extras.
A brave blindside Blad burst would hand them a try in the closing minutes of the half. The conversion flew wide.
Referee Peris Mukoko sent Oliech to the bin for a cynical breakdown foul but the students could not find enough time to overcome a 57-18 Impala lead and full-time score.
The Impala forwards coach Frank Ndong’: ‘’This was better display from last weekend. The boys did well in training and showed it on the pitch as well. They carried the same gusto to the match and I am very happy”
Ollows: ‘’The most important take-out of this match was the attitude our guys showed. We scored first and kept the tempo nearly the whole match. The errors that gifted Blad the two late tries came with the replacements’ change. We must take care to retain the structure and intensity we are trying to achieve throughout the match.
We face Kabras in the play-off quarters next weekend at the Impala Club and if we employ the general attitude displayed today, we’ll win. In spite of the outstanding team performance, Mayar stood out today. We’re very pleased for him considering the effort he has put in to work on his individual game’’