The Elgon Cup Half time and The Leagues Review.

Paukwa…Pakawa, Sahani? Don’t even ask..let’s go straight to the rugby. The University and Nation Wide champions were crowned over the weekend and they are....*insert drum rolls* Egerton and Blak Blad respectively. Egerton beat the Multimedia University 22-6 to clinch the Uni title while the Blad saw off Mombasa RFC 27-3 to lift the inaugural Nationwide title. The impressive Blak Blad completed the season having not tasted defeat, they played 13 games in total, Egerton were almost as impressive losing just once in their 16 outings. With those wins the two are set to be promoted in the 2013/2014 season, Blad will step into the Kenya Cup while Egerton will take part in the Nationwide league, not unless otherwise. The ESS match between Nondies II and Nakuru II did not take place.

The Nation Wide Champions 2011/2012- BLAK BLAD RFC

In the Kenya Cup, the Menengai Oil Nakuru RFC ended the season with a Bang, walloping the Total Kenya 46-0 to win what has now been dubbed ‘the oil derby.’ The Wanyore who saw their chances of winning the Kenya cup end last Thursday with Quins set to play Kisumu, made sure that they capped off their impressive season with a real show of dominance. This win also meant that the Wanyore oilers end the season unbeaten at the NAC, with 64 points on the log level with Quins with the Lunch bars leading on aggregate score. Nondies on the other hand end what has been an up and down season with a rather embarrassing score, they finish level on points with Impala on 39 points with the red shirts piping the white ones on aggregate score. 

With the domestics done, allow me to vuka border into Uganda where our national teams were doing duty in the annual Elgon cup. It was not such a good outing for both the warembo and men. The warembo went down 15-6 to the nyabos while their male counterparts suffered a 19-5 defeat against the sebbos. I did not get to watch the ladies game but I hear that there was not much to chose between the two and that the 11 points deficit can and indeed will be covered wholesomely. 

To the men, firstly this game was on SS9 East it should be on channel 219 on your Dstv decoder, some guys missed a huge chunk of the game due to lack of this info. I know that you will be at the RFUEA this Saturday, but next time try being more adventurous with your remote…hehe. The game was as expected a closely contested battle, Uganda took charge of the first half dominating the set pieces and having a great deal of possession. In this half they made 7 visits to the Kenya 22 and had 70% territory but only had 6 from Anthony Kinene’s bootto show for this at the half. Kenya saw very little of the ball in this half though they did miss 2 penalties, the lads defended superbly against their physically domineering opponents. Uganda did well to create mismatches as time and again their forwards were running at our centers.

The Men in action, kuna mtu alobomolewa hapa..

Come the second half, Kenya made one change with Andola making way for Sakwa with Agero moving to Fly half. Kenya were seeing more of the ball, the forwards taking the battle to the Ugandans with the backs guilty of a few crucial handling errors. Uganda would stretch their lead to 11-0 after a counter attack, Kenya would continue probing the forwards now in full control though we looked a bit shaky on the lineouts, but it was the Ugandans who would score again off a penalty to make it 14-0. The men would still not barge, the forwards putting together 11 or so phases to take them into the Uganda 22 before losing the ball off a handling error. Uganda put together a quick counter attack with Kimono making a whole 50 metres before Mose picked up his chipped ball on the cross cover. Kenya would again set camp in the Uganda 22, this time Uganda could not hold out, Lawi Buyachi powering over the line to make it 14-5. Kenya sensing the comeback threw everything at their hosts, with the forwards fully in control now, but again Uganda holding on to the lead. They would turn over the ball inside their 22 before that man Kimono showed the Kenya defense a clean pair of heels to score the final try of the game, to make the score 19-5.

It was generally a game of two halves though Uganda had the better chances of sealing off the game. The hosts were really quick at the break downs especially the rucks and moved the ball swiftly to the wings where they mostly attacked. Kenya did well to hold off the first half furry by the Ugandans and this performance could as well prove vital in retaining the title. I expect Tank to bring back a few familiar faces for the return leg as I felt we lacked that bit of experience in certain areas, Calvins Biko will not be available for the return leg due to injury so that is one change already. We are chasing 14 points, not much from where am sited, guess we will carry on with the trend for one more year. They beat us in Kampala, beat them even harder here…Remember these matches are Elgon Cup and Victoria Cup double headers so alot is riding on this Saturday match.

In sevens news, Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange and Oscar Ouma are set to miss one or both of the remaining legs due to a combination of work and school commitments, more on this as we move closer to these legs. Other news on the sevens is that Conditioning coach Geoffrey Kimani resigned sometime last week citing a lack of co-operation from the union. I won’t comment on this as I have no idea what exactly happened but I will say this, the loss of Kim and possibly three of our best players this season could not have come at a worse time. Remember our status as a core team is on the line and these two legs (Glasgow and London) will determine if we enjoy the same come next season.

Still on Sevens, well sort of….A big congratulations to the Kenya sevens first couple, If I may call them that, Mr. & Mrs. Mitch ‘Mojo’ Ocholla (Yes Millie you inherit mpaka the nick name hehehe) on tying the knot at a coulorful ceremony this past weekend…. 

I hope you are all planning to be at the RFUEA this Saturday and support the teams… it’s only 300 bob! Kosa upigwe…na nishasema.

Finally..*Singing* “What’s that coming over the hill?” 

Nop it’s not a monster, it’s not Onyancha and it’s definitely not a Porn star... hehehe keep it here to find out what it is exactly!!

With that ladies and gentlemen….

KWISHA!!!