Champions Kabras Sugar registered a high-scoring victory on Saturday against Impala, sending a strong warning to title rivals in the Kenya Cup.
At the same time, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad and Nakuru RFC also claimed stunning victories in the competition. The competition takes a break and will resume in January.
Four-time Kenyan champions Kabras Sugar landed 21 tries on Saturday to flatten a hapless Impala RFC 123-0 in what is the team’s second highest scoring match in the Kenya Cup.
Kabras Sugar registered their highest scoring victory match in the league was when they steamrolled Kisumu 137-7 in Kenya Cup on December 7 last year.
The day also belonged to Blak Blad, who stunned Kenya Harlequin 40-26 at Kenyatta University grounds. It was Blak Blad’s first victory against Quins since the university students triumphed against the Ngong Road-based side 23-18 in 2022.
The 2013 and 2014 champions Nakuru RFC registered their first victory of the season by rallying from 30-28 down to beat Nondescript 32-20 at the Ngong Racecourse.
Menengai Oilers and KCB claimed routine victories against Kisumu RFC, and Strathmore Leos, winning 68-3 and 72-14 at Nakuru Showground and Ruaraka Sports Club respectively.
Enock Oduor slotted over three penalties for Blak Blad to cancel eighthman Willy Tino’s converted try. Tino was sent to the bins as Blak Blad cashed in on their numbers to gain the upper hand. Blak Blad skipper Obat Kuke’s try stretched their lead to 14-7.
Quins hit back with a try from Franklin Mukaisi for 14-14 scoreline. Quins reclaimed the lead 21–14 at the break with a converted try before landing another try to stretch their lead to 26-14.
Obat completed his hat-trick, then Lowell Mwanika and Meja Mulongo landed a try apiece to change the tide, as the university students completed the victory.
“We are happy with our progress, but we were pegged back with the loss to Strathmore Leos in our previous outing,” Blak Blad skipper Rotich Kibet said.
Kibet praised his side for proper fielding, improved defence and winning the critical moments even when under pressure.
Blak Blad launched their campaign in the Kenya Cup this season with a stunning 21-10 win against Nakuru RFC two weeks ago, before losing to Strathmore University Leos 32-30 last week.
They face Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) when Kenya Cup resumes on January 10, next year.
“We shall regroup before the break to review what worked for us, and what didn’t,” explained Kibet.
Nakuru RFC, who lost their first two matches 23-18 to Quins and 21-10 to Blak Blad, led 13-0 after Ike Amaya landed a try, and Javan Otieno converted to add to his early penalty.
A try from Stormy Onyango and Tony Fidens’ penalty brought Nondies back into the game as they closed in 13-8.
Frank Mutuku scored Nondies’ second try, and Fidens’ second of the day put Nondies ahead 15-13 at the break.
Nondies stretched their lead to 20-13 with Ryan Odua’s try. Nondies then pulled away 25-13 after John Mark Awiti’s try.
Nakuru fought back through Felix Okoth’s tries to trail 25-18, only for Odhiambo to hit back with another try for Nondies to lead 3018. Okoth and Chrissant Ojwang then landed a try each, and Otieno converted to blow away Nondies at home.
