KCB’s second string side is the only team to finish the 2018/2019 ESS League unbeaten. They are second on the log with 74 points. Kabras are top of the log with the same number of points but the superior Point difference is what has set them apart.
We caught up with KCB’s ESS Captain James Ochieng’ and he let us in on what has been working for the Bankers having finished the 2018/2019 regular league unbeaten. They are the Eric Shirley Shield defending champions.
“The way we play our brand of rugby, is a more expansive game than many other teams, It makes it easier to go out and score quick tries if needed. It certainly helps us as players in playing that brand of rugby and having the belief that it is not over till it is over.
Our attacking style of play helps drive our ability to demolish opponents defense. As a team we are playing to push the brilliance and expertise in rugby games even further. And trying to cut off the reliance on individual efforts but on working together as a team.
Trusting in our systems has been working well for us throughout the season so far, and we’re looking to make sure to carry it forward in all the games we play.”
Losing to Kabras RFC in the Mwamba Cup quarterfinals on the 9th of March was a huge eye opener to the team. “It made it very clear that we aren’t as invincible as we had began to think. Other teams are certainly preparing well and if we don’t put our best foot forward we’re bound to slip up.” added Ochieng.
“Our defense was poor on key moments in the game. And we couldn’t take our scoring chances well, so decision making lapsed in between the game. Since the lose, we’ve been working on all that, to make sure we don’t have another off day.”
True to his word, the team has ensured they secure all the wins that were left in the ESS league.
“So kudos to Kabras, they are always worthy opponents, they executed their prowess well to exploit our weaknesses in that game and it worked out perfectly in their favour. Building a championship team is our main goal. The team culture of success keeps us on our toes knowing all our opponents are looking up to us, as the champions.
All credit so far also goes to our coaching set up, which focuses well on making every weekend’s performance to be championship worthy. So yes winning the ESS title is our long term goal, but making sure every weekend we put in a good performance as a team is the main goal.
Winning is the primary thing, but we also need to build towards being successful. Retaining the ESS will be good reward for all our hard work throughout the season.” he concluded.
By finish in the top two positions on the ESS log, the Cubs earned themselves a direct semifinal where they’ll play the winner of the Resolution Impala Saracens II playoff match against Top Fry Nakuru II. Log leaders Kabras RFC II will meet the winner of the Menengai Cream Homeboyz vs Kenya Harlequins match.
ESS Playoffs on 27th April 2019
Match 1: Rank 3 (Resolution Impala Saracens) vs Rank 6 (Top Fry Nakuru) – 2:00pm at the Impala Grounds
Match 2: Rank 4 (Menengai Cream Homeboyz) vs Rank 5 (Kenya Harlequins) – 2:00pm at Jamhuri Grounds
ESS semifinals on 11th May 2019
Rank 1 (Kabras Sugar RFC) vs Winner Match 2 – 2:00pm at Kakamega ASK Showgrounds
Rank 2 (KCB RC) vs Winner Match 1 – 2:00pm at the KCB Sports Club Ruaraka
ESS Finals on 18th May 2019
Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2 – Venue and time TBC