NAIROBI, Kenya, April 24-Two time champions Cheetahs began their Bamburi Rugby Super Series campaign on a high note with a massive 52-17 thumping of the Lions in the opening match played at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.
Ironically it was the Lions who started this battle of the cats on a high, putting the Cheetahs under pressure early on.
Lions scrum half Peter Mutai attempted a drop goal that went wide but rookie Fabian Olando soon put his side ahead with a successful penalty kick for a 3-0 lead after a Cheetahs infringement.
Mike Mugo penalty miss for the Cheetahs was soon forgotten when eighthman Gray Cullen pick up from the base of the scrum set up a platform for winger Kelvin Omiyo to score an unconverted try in the corner for a 5-3 lead.
Mugo penalty stretched his team lead to 8-3 soon after heralding a period of Cheetahs dominance that saw Nato Simiyu touching down to make the scores 13-3.
It was one way traffic at this point as the Cheetahs scored three unconverted tries through fullback Vincent Mose who had a brace and Cullen for a 28-3 lead at the interval.
It was the same case as soon as the second half resumed. Innocent Simiyu was dominant in this period of play, picking up a loose Lions’ ball before racing a cool sixty yards to touch down and all but seal the game for the Cheetahs at 35-3.
Cheetah’s captain Mike Aung added another to take the scores to 42-3 as the Cheetahs continued on cruise control followed by a Simiyu penalty to stretch their lead to 45-3.
Good play between Simiyu and national sevens team mate Ben Nyambu saw the latter touching down making the scores 52-3.
The Lions to score two facing saving tries from veteran centre Curtis Olago and Fabian Olando for the final score of 52-17.
In the other match, defending champions Rhinos hammered the Western Buffaloes 61-0 while in Arusha, the Sharks devoured the Twigas 79-3.
