NAIROBI, Kenya, October 16- Mwamba recovered from last weekend’s mauling at the hands of Impala by pulling off a 22-17 win over KCB at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday.
The match started on a slow note, both sides tentative in their approach to the game and it was KCB’s Max Adaka who showed real intent, breaching the Mwamba gain line as he gained ten yards, setting off an attack that ended with winger Jeremy Njoroge being stopped short of the try line. KCB would continue to pressure Mwamba, mauling from the line. Antony Ogot barged over for an unconverted try.
Mwamba would gradually eke their way into the game, and KCB territory, winning a penalty in front of the posts.
Chris Asego missed this attempt. More pedestrian play from KCB saw them cede ground again, conceding a second penalty that Kulabu opted to run. Salaton Mutwiri grounded the ball at the corner, leveling the scores five all.
The game would degenerate into a comedy of errors, but most importantly, Mwamba grew in confidence and as the teams went into the breather all square, they looked the more interested side.
KCB would show urgency after the restart but soon lost the plot, allowing Mwamba into the ascendency. Dennis Ombachi’s searching run saw him enter the KCB five yard, critically offloading the ball to Steve Okeyo who touched down for a 10-5 Mwamba lead.
Okeyo would return to haunt KCB, landing a second try under the posts with George Mbaye converting before completing his hat-trick, giving Mwamba the bonus point as they led 22-5.
This sparked off a frenzied response from the hitherto lethargic KCB. They began to see more of the ball, subsequently keeping possession as they finally managed to string several phases of play together. Adaka, one of KCB’s performers on the day, breaking loose from the maul, racing twenty five yards to score under the posts. Peter Mutai’s conversion cut the deficit to 22-12.
Adaka completed his double, earning KCB a bonus point for losing by less than seven points, but it was an exercise in futility as referee Karimi Mwangi soon blew the final whistle.It was a well deserved win for the black shirts, who sensed victory, and took it by the scruff of the neck.
League leaders Impala RFC maintained their 100% record and Kenya Cup pole position stretching a 17-11 half time lead into a 39-18 result over visiting Mean Machine RFC at the Impala Club.
Strathmore Leos moved second in the Kenya Cup, inflicting a second successive home defeat to Nakuru RFC, winning a 29-10 at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
Collated Results Kenya Cup
KCB 17 Mwamba 22
Nakuru 10 Strathmore 29
Impala 39 Machine 18
Eric Shirley Shield Pool A
Homeboyz 35 Quins II 5
KCB II 20 Mwamba II 13
Nakuru II 5 Strathmore II 19
Impala II 28 Machine II 10
Mombasa 14 Nondies II 0
Pool B
Siaya 3 Kisumu 104
Webuye 10 Masinde Muliro 25
Kakamega 5 Maseno 12
Bungoma 14 Kisii 0
Universities and Colleges
Pool A
Blak Blad 27 Kabarak 20
Catholic 32 Impala III 26
KCA 22 KEMU 0
Egerton 3 Moi Uni 14
Pool B
Nazarene 0 Spartans 24
K.Poly 5 Homeboyz II 38
USIU 47 Sheperds 0
