Thika RFC ended Kisumu RFC hopes of a swift return to the Kenya Cup, beating their hosts 6-3 in sudden death extra time in a Nationwide quarterfinal encounter at the Mamboleo Showground in Kisumu on Saturday.
The sides were tied 0-0 at the breather before the visitors went ahead in early second half thanks to a Sammy Munga penalty.
The hosts would chase the game, drawing level on seventy six minutes courtesy of Aggrey Kituyi’s penalty that sent the game into extra time.
The sides were still tied at the close of extra time, sending the match into sudden death and it was Muthui Murithi’s drop goal that sealed it for the Millars, setting up a semi final date against Egerton Wasps on Saturday 7th March. Kisumu must now wait for another season to make another push to return to the league that they last featured in during the 2013/14 season.
Egerton Wasps left it late against Nairobi’s Technical University of Kenya, trailing 7-11 at the death before scoring with virtually the last play to steal the 12-11 result over TUK.
Bungoma Sharks fairy tale maiden season continued as they won away to the South Coast Pirates in Ukunda, the 5-0 result earning them a semi final clash against Eldoret who rallied from a 0-12 deficit to stop Impala III 20-17 at the Impala Club on Saturday. Issa Idris scored the sole try for the Sharks who are in their debut season in the Nationwide league.
Impala III opened the scoring through Kevin Atuke’s unconverted effort before Patrick Mutuku landed with Ian Mabwa converting for a 12-0 score. Cyrian Odipo sparked Eldoret’s revival with a try on the stroke of half time to bring the scores to 12-5 at the breather.
Joseph Chimwani penalty further reduced the deficit to 12-8 before converting James Nyaa’s try to put Eldoret 15-12 up. Victor Ayimba extended their lead with an unconverted try before Atuke landed his brace for Impala III as the match ended 20-17.
Nationwide National Collated Quarterfinal Results
Kisumu 3 Thika 6
Egerton Wasps 12 TUK 11
South Coast Pirates 0 Bungoma Sharks 5
Impala III 17 Eldoret 20
Semi Final
Thika v Egerton Wasps
Bungoma Sharks v Eldoret