The early kick-off match pitting Kenyatta University’s Blakblad against the Menengai Oilers ended in a stalemate following a late unconverted try by the ‘hosts’ Blakblad ending 12-12.
Timothy Okwemba landed the sole try in the first half of this match handing the Gibson Were charges an early 5-point lead that they held on to throughout these opening 40 minutes. Both teams made several visits to their opponents half but this ended up being the only visit that resulted in a score.
In the second half, Austin Sikutwa registered his name on the scoresheet as he landed the second try, Geoffrey Ominde’s conversion extended the Oilers’ lead to 12-0. Two minutes later, Blakblad’s prop Humphrey Litali landed a try that was successfully converted by Kelvin Gathu. Blakblad then trailed 7-12 for the majority of the second half before Gathu spotted a gap in the Oilers’ defense, exploiting it to land his side’s second try in the dying minutes of the match. The eventual conversion was unsuccessful leveling the scores to 12-12.
The Kenya Harlequins versus KCB saw the Bankers secure their second win of the season beating Quins 35-32 at the RFUEA Grounds.
An infringement by Kenya Harlequins presented KCB with an opportunity to register the first points of the match which they did as Stephen Osumba drilled in the three points. Peter Waitere extended the Bankers’ lead after he landed an unconverted try, KCB leading 8-0. Two successful penalty kicks by Kenya Harlequins’ Evin Asena sandwiched Martin Owilla’s converted try before Owilla’s brace closed off the first half. Scoreboard reading 6-22 in favor of KCB.
In the second half, Quins’ seemed hungrier as they ended up registering a total of 22 points while KCB registered 13 points. The second-half try scorers for the hosts were Xavier Kipng’etich and Mark Wandetto who landed a try each while Kenya International Joshua Chisanga landed a brace with Asena converting three of the four tries. From the Bankers’ side, Cabrine Muhanga and Mickey Wanjala landed the two unconverted tries in this half as full back Darwin Mukidza sliced the posts with a penalty kick. KCB getting the bonus point win and Quins securing a losing bonus point.
At the Impala Grounds, Kabras Sugar handed the Strathmore Leos a 9-35 loss while at the Nakuru Athletic Club, hosts Top Fry Nakuru beat Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 23-10.
Collated Match Day 2 Full-Time scores
Top Fry Nakuru 23- MMUST 10
Blakblad 12 – Menengai Oilers 12
Kenya Harlequins 32 – KCB 35
Strathmore Leos 9 – Kabras Sugar RFC 35
Featured image courtesy of Denis Ekanusu