Quinto Ongo would have placed the Gazelles 3 points ahead had his kick not hit the post and bounced back to BlakBlad hands. He however made good his threat to pierce BlakBlad when he scored at the corner for the opening try. His attempt at converting sailed wide. Blak Blad announced interest in the match when Ajeliti Lionel split the posts with finesse. A try by Ishmael Mokaya, converted by Ongo pumped Impala ahead. The 12-3 Impala-Blad scoreline was quickly reduced by the hosts. Ajeliti, whose boot had been influential in placing the visitors on the back foot, kicked over for 12-6. Impala were the better team for the remainder of the first half, Paul Mutsami scored from behind a moving scrum. Ongo converted for 19-6. Samson Onsomu’s core stability and fends rid him of two defenders. His release to a speeding Vincent Mose set pace for a beautiful show of hands. An exchange of passes between him, Mose, Ian Minjire & Nato Simiyu signalled silence to the students’ fans. Mose’s attempt at converting flew wide. 24-6 Impala. Although Impala was well ahead, Ajeliti’s boot was not dismayed. He kicked over another penalty for Blad, setting the scoreboard reading to 24-9. Impala’s Billy Omondi scored at the 40th minute. The subsequent conversion by Ongo went wide. This was the last time Impala saw the Blad try-box.

With pressure piling on Impala, Tyson Okoth was shown yellow for bending the law. Ajeliti was thereafter sent to the sinner’s chair for dangerous play. The hosts controlled the 2nd half. Wesley Kidinga’s try converted by Ajeliti Lionel re-awakened the unusually quiet Blad fans. The Gazelles had a myriad of opportunities to score from, but inaccuracies in line-out & unforced errors at the contact situation even when Blad’s Kevin Nyawoi was out serving time kept them away from scoring any point in this half.

FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 29-16 BlakBlad RC

This win means Impala still stay at 4th, but now with 29 points. The Gazelles will face Nakuru RFC next weekend, 10th February 2017 at the Impala Club.