Kabras Sugar majestically finished the Kenya Cup regular season last weekend unbeaten and at the top of the table.
Significantly, they stretched their unbeaten run in the competition to 52 matches and are on the verge of equaling the league record for the most consecutive fixtures played without defeat.
In fact, Kabras were on course to eclipse the longest winning streak in the 57-year history of the league before their match against KCB on March 7 was ruled by the KRU competition committee a draw after it was abandoned at half time because of an unplayable pitch following heavy rains, locked 10-10. KCB have, however, appealed against the ruling.
Kabras Sugar Rugby FC players celebrate after winning the 2024/2025 Kenya Cup title.
Photo credit: Isaac Wale | Nation Media Group
Since the league was started in 1969, four other clubs have won the Kenya Cup unbeaten.
Impala won the 1971, 1972, and 1973 league editions without losing a single match. Mean Machine won the title unbeaten in 1977, Kenya Harlequins in 2011 and KCB in 2017 and 2018.
But by far, the most successful side is former powerhouses Nondescripts, who have won a record 16 league titles.
Nondescripts, with a record 16 Kenya Cup league titles. hold the longest unbeaten record of 54 matches played between 1991 and 1995.
Photo credit: Pool
Just as impressive is their other distinction of holding the longest unbeaten record of 54 matches played between 1991 and 1995.
Barclays Bank thumped Nondies 22-9 at Parklands Sports Club on February 23, 1991. It was the last time the White Shirts lost for a period of 50 months and five Kenya Cups
After the loss to Barclays, Nondescripts, under the captainship of Neil Campbell Mackenzie, went on to win all their remaining matches that season.
They defeated Mwamba 27-0 away at the Nairobi Railway Club and won the return leg 26-6 at Parklands.
Nondies put Quins to the sword 46-13 at the RFUEA Grounds on March 23, crushed them 21-0 in the return fixture on July 13.
Next up were KCB, who were downed 26-6 at Parklands on April 6 before Nondies were forced to dig deep for a narrow 7-6 victory in the return fixture at KCB Sports Club on June 15.
Nondescripts then beat Mean Machine 20-6 and 27-16 in their home and away fixtures on April 13 and May 4, respectively.
The White Shirts got a measure of revenge against Barclays Bank, downing them 11-6 in the return match at Nairobi School on June 8 as they recaptured the Kenya Cup, which they had last won in 1988.
Kabras Sugar RFC coach Carlos Katywa celebrates after his team beat KCB 29-5 in the final of the Kenya Cup league at kakamega showground on April 6, 2024.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
In 1992, seven teams, namely Nondescripts, Kenya Harlequins, Barclays Bank, Mwamba, KCB, Mean Machine, and promoted Impala took part in the Kenya Cup competition, which was played in a round robin format.
Nondies, skippered by Richard ‘Kabuti’ Coate, picked up from where they had left the previous season, sweeping aside everybody before them. Their largest winning margins were 51-6 against Impala at Impala Club on April 25 and 84-3 against the same side at Parklands on July 11.
The White Shirts never looked back with back row man David Francombe, lock Paul Ngoga Owako, props Peter Coventry and Phillip Omamo and three-quarters Christian Sullivan, and Paul Keir dictating terms to all and sundry.
Nondescripts went on to win the league in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
In 1994, skippered by Richard Taylor, they breezed through all the opponents with their only glitches coming in two drawn matches at home, 5-5 and 6-6 away against Mombasa.
The all-conquering White Shirts started 1995 with a 3-3 draw against Kenya Harlequin at Parklands. It would set their tone for the season. They beat Stanchart, Mombasa and Mwamba before Mean Machine ended the longest winning streak in East African club rugby in a 25-19 defeat at Parklands on Good Friday, April 14, 1995.
