Oliech fires canon at Quins
Impala would be quick to fire canon at Quins, eating up territory before forcing the indiscipline out of the hosts. Fullback Sammy Oliech had an easy time with the posts for a 3-0 register a few minutes into the game. It wasn’t long before he went through defence to score in style after impressive backline play from Nato Simiyu & Billy Omondi. His subsequent conversion rendered the RFUEA silent for a while. Quins were trailing by 10 points.
The best thing to ever happen to Quins was fly half Kevin Keegan’s boot. His ability to keep Impala on the back foot worked magic and it seemed to torment Impala throughout the match. The ensuing forward play would catch the Gazelles offside many a number of times. It wasn’t long before a penalty was called out. Lyle Asiligwa with the successful kick to cut the point deficit by 7 points.
Impala’s backline continues to tear through Quins’ defence
Minutes later, Impala took advantage of a scrum down deep in Quins territory. Captain Duncan Ekasi would pick it up and pass it to Onsomu who sucked in 2 defenders. His subsequent offload finding Oliech at pace and coasting into the box would once more shock many a Quins’ fan. If the fullback’s successful conversion meant danger, his next successful attempt at the posts for a 3 pointer meant doom for Quins, at least at this point.
Relentless hosts
In what was referred to on social media as ‘a match worth every penny at the gate’, Quins were not willing to let go. The hosts, whose forwards’ department worked hard to frustrate the Gazelles would touch down through a Tony Mutai try. Asiligwa’s sure kicking cut the deficit to 10 points, but it was Kevin Keegan’s daring step of courage that changed the match completely. After picking a pass from his scrumhalf, Keegan drew in Billy Omondi before finding a huge gap caused by a lazy drift by Samuel Motari. Asiligwa’s conversion spelt looming danger. A 10 point gap reduced to 3. Billy Omondi would be shown yellow for dissent leaving Impala to complete the first half less a pair of hands.
Fortune fails to smile at Impala
The second half would unfurl a dull display by the visitors. With the mathematician scrumhalf Onsomu & work horse flanker Mutsami off due to injury, Impala were derelict of ingenuity at the set piece. Tony Mutai’s unconverted try would change the scoreboard readings for a 2 point Impala trail. Unending pressure would find Simon Muniafu carded for indiscipline. Although Quins’ backrow Kevin Umbuge was carded as well, it did little to lift Impala’s spirits. Asiligwa’s kick which went through after hitting the left stick rallied Quins 5 points clear but Sammy Oliech would not let the quartered shirts shoot up to league leadership yet. His successful penalty kick closed the game at 23-25 much to the league leaders’ dismay.
