Ian Minjire opened up scores at the 5th minute. A try borne off quick hands by the Impala backline. Quinto Ongo converted for the 7-0 lead. As predicted by Director Of Rugby- Fred Ollows, Nakuru’s put forth solid forward play in attack. 8th man Charles Odongo grounded the ball in Impala try-box at the 11th minute. Geoffrey Ominde converted to level matters. Ongo’s boot split the posts twice. First at the 16th minute & then at the 21st minute to send Impala 13-7 ahead. Nakuru’s forwards are to be feared for their tireless grinding. A powerful scrum deep in Impala half, followed by clever movement by the Nakuru backs opened up a 4 man overlap against Samson Onsomu. Geoffrey Ominde coasted into the try-box, encountering zero resistance. Although he missed the conversion, which would have sent his team a point ahead of Impala at the 29th minute, his boot struck nicely at the 34th, to bring Nakuru back into the contest. Michael Gitau, Resolution Impala Saracens lock was shown yellow at the 36th minute after dangerous play. His absence from the scrum was immediately felt. Nakuru 8th man – Charles Odongo scored off a moving scrum at the 39th minute. Ominde converted.
HT: Resolution Impala Saracens 13-22 Nakuru RFC
31 seconds after the second half kick off – Impala scored through Vincent Mose. Ongo converted beautifully from the tight corner. Nakuru’s Cassius Omollo was shown yellow for mischievous play at the 42nd minute. Ongo split the posts 3 minutes later to bring Impala back into the lead, but by only one point. Nakuru scored through Walter Okoth at the 47th minute. Ominde converted. 23-279 Nakuru. Impala needed a converted try to get back into the game. Nakuru’s brace hero – Charles Odongo was shown yellow by referee Raymond Oruo for dangerous play & his team paid for it immediately. Daniel Ndome scored at the 62nd minute. Quinto Ongo’s conversion looked good to everyone else but the assistant referees who after 2 seconds of doubtful faces, kept their flags down. Impala 28-29 Nakuru. Ongo kicked over penalty at the 29th minute, Paul Mutsami scored a try 1 minute later. Ongo converted with finesse. Minjire scored his brace at the 75th minute. Ongo converted. It was only until the 79th minute that Nakuru scored a converted try through Ominde, but it was too late.
FT: Resolution Impala Saracens 43-36 Nakuru RFC
Resolution Impala Saracens Chairman – Bill Ngine Githinji
Wow! I think Nakuru came to play. They did well in the first half but because Impala were underwhelming in that half. We got back to the second half & played very well. Apart from MoTM Quinto Ongo Paul Mutsami, Tyson Okoth, Joel Omer & Kevin Okeyo played superbly today. We have never seen our back row play like that in a long time. We seemed to lack organization at the fly-half position, but at the end of the day, we still won against Nakuru & collected 5 points.
