The Punter
31 August 2008
Nairobi — Kenya Harlequin FC, the new Kenya Cup rugby league champions, have switched their attention to the knock-out Zain Enterprise Cup which kicks off on Saturday.
Edward Kinyany, the Quins coach, is taking it one match at a time.
"That is how we managed to win the Kenya Cup by focusing on every match," he said. His captain, Daniel Kiptoo, agreed.
"Nobody remembers who finished second in a league. We have reached the final thrice and lost by one or two points in the past three years but this time the players wanted it most," he said.
The Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground, where Quins beat KCB 29-17 to win their first Kenya Cup league since 2003, was turned into one big party after the referee Godwin Karuga blew the final whistle.
Fought for supremacy
The bankers rued missed chances in the opening 15 minutes, which proved crucial even though they dominated the second half.
Peter Mutai kicked wide a penalty for KCB after only 14 seconds of the game and missed another in the second minute as KCB came out with their guns blazing.
Mutai's third attempt on the quarter hour lacked power. Upto this time, KCB superbly controlled the game and confined Quins in their half.
Lewis Olaka and Anthony Ogot fought for supremacy in the line outs.
Slowly Quins overcame the early pressure and David Mogere scored a try in the 20th minute from a penalty five metres out.
It was the turning point of the game. Thumbi who was later named as the league's top points scorer (111) drilled over a penalty in the 23rd minute.
Three minutes later, Thumbi put over his second penalty from 25 metres out as Quins led 11-0. In the last quarter, Quins took control of the game.
A good drive by the forwards ended in a try by Vincent Ong'era in the 33rd minute.
Extended the lead
Thumbi converted as Quins led 18-0 at half time. KCB came out fighting in the second half.
Neil Dick, the indefatigable KCB hooker grounded a try in the 50th minute after the bankers were awarded a penalty from five metres out. Mutai converted after a little shake of his butt for stability.
Six minutes later, Frankline Amiani brought the game to KCB's reach barging over for a try which Mutai again converted to reduce the lead to 18-14 in Quin's favour.
A speculative drop goal by Thumbi in the 60th minute saw Quins establish a narrow 21-14 lead because Mutai added a penalty from infront of the posts to reduce the lead to 21-17.
But Thumbi extended the lead in the 70th minute before super substitute Allan Makaka who replaced Ben Weru scored a try in the 78th minute, which sent the fans in a frenzy.
Elsewhere, Nakuru RFC defeated Mean Machine 46-16 at Nakuru Athletic Club while Mwamba completed their fixtures with a 27-12 win over Mombasa Sports Club.
Nondescripts beat Strathmore University 13-5 at Nairobi School. In the Eric Shirley Shield, KCB II confirmed their win with a 26-7 defeat of Quins II at the RFUEA ground.
Bryan Omondi scored two tries while Dedan Omondi and Xavier Makuba added one each.
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