Match Day seven of the 2024/25 Kenya Cup league kicked off across the country with two matches in Nairobi, one in Diani, Nakuru, Kisumu and Kakamega.
In Nairobi, the Bankers KCB RC hosted the Ngong Road-based Kenya Harlequins at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka. Kenya Harlequins were first to register points on the scoreboard as Asena drilled in a penalty kick before KCB responded with an unconverted corner post try through Elvis Olukusi. A few minutes later, KCB showcased their ball-handling prowess as they spread the ball wide to find a fast-paced Michael Wamalwa who made his 40M run to score KCB’s second try. Austine Sikutwa sure with his boot split the uprights to give KCB the 12-3 lead.
An infringement by KCB resulted in Asena drilling in a second penalty for Quins to reduce the gap to 12-6, however, this score didn’t last long as a second line break by Wamalwa saw KCB gain several meters into their opponents half. They would then offload the ball which eventually landed in the hands of Andycole Omolo who had no defenders in sight, he made his way to the try box landing a converted center post try. The score at half time read 19-6.
Second half, KCB landed three tries through Davis Chenge, Olukusi and Sikutwa with two conversions being successful while Quins scored two tries through Charles ‘Chacha’ Kinyanjui and Bill Abuom both of whom went over the whitewash at the corner of the pitch. Both conversions were unsuccessful and the score at full time was 38-16 in favour of the hosts.
At the Impala Grounds, the hosts were first on the scoreboard with two penalty kicks that gave them an early 6-0 lead over Strathmore Leos. With less than 5 minutes left on the clock in the first half, Impala extended their lead with an unconverted try to bring the scores at half-time to 11-0.
The second half, the Leos came charged as they dotted down their first converted try to reduce the gap to 11-7. Four minutes later, an infringement by the Leos resulted in Impala adding extra three points off the penalty kick. This however, would be the final points they’d score in this match. Kenya Sevens international George Ooro was brought in, in this half and made his intentions known as he landed the Leos second converted try to level the scores to 14-14.
The Leos were not done as they landed their third converted try to take the lead in this match deep into the second half, they held on to the lead up to full time to secure their second win of the season.
more to follow…….