The Preview To The Semi Finals weekend.

This weekend will see a total of 5 sets of semifinal matches taking place in the Chairman’s Cup and Bamburi super series. A bulk of these will be played in the Chairman’s cup as follows:

Shield Semi

Kenya Poly. v Thika RFC (11 a.m. Thika High)

Multimedia v Catholic uni (11 a.m. Catholic uni)

Bowl Semi

KCB v Oryx (11 a.m., Upper Hill High School)

Nondies v Blakblad (11 a.m. Jamuhuri grounds)

Plate Semi

Chipu vs Machine (11a.m. UoN grounds)

Homeboyz v Strathmore (9:30 a.m. UoN grounds)

Main Cup Semi

Nakuru v Impala (3 p.m. NAC)

Mwamba v Quins (12:30 UoN grounds)

Interesting match ups all through, but my pick has to be the Mwamba vs Quins closely followed by Homeboyz vs Strathmore and Impala vs Nakuru. The Mwamba Quins game will serve up as a preview of sorts to one of the Super series semi finals, more of that later. The two sides have shared a healthy rivalry for a while and it will be interesting to see who bags the bragging rights this time out. Homeboyz vs Strath promises to be a show of free flowing rugby as the two are well known for this brand of rugby, so expect a spectacle in this one. The high flying Nakuru who have looked nothing short of impressive this far will be meeting an almost equally impressive side in Impala. Nakuru are still unbeaten at their NAC home well at least in 15’s rugby this season and will be looking to keep this run going. Impala come into this one off a shocking win against Kenya Poly, yes shocking in the fact that they were leading 13-0 at half time and somehow managed to scrap through 13-12, they will need a better second half performance if they are to get anything from this one. 

Again..those lucky fellows who will be at the UoN, 3 great matches lined up for y’all..*sigh* 

BRSS action this weekend moves back to its traditional home at the RFUEA, in at least for one of the games. After being away for the last two weeks due to the poor state of the pitch...here are the two semi finals on the cards:

Rwenzori vs Cheetahs (4:00 PM Kyadondo Rugby Club)

Lions vs Rhinos (4:00 PM RFUEA grounds)

The first ever semi final to be played in Kampala will be between the Dimension Data Rwenzori and the SDV Transami Cheetahs. The Rwenzori side booked this spot unbeaten in Pool B, a great achievement in itself seeing as not many people gave them a chance, with the pool also having the defending champions the Rhinos and the much fancied Victoria. This is the Ugandans’ second semi in a row, after they lost out at the same stage last year to eventual champions the Rhinos. This time round they will be looking to be the first Ugandan side to make it to a BRSS final, to do this they will be looking to the likes of Anthony Kinene, Steve Ogwete and that kid Kimono.

The Cheetahs will be making their fifth consecutive appearance in the semi finals of the super series and will be looking to make it 3 finals from the last 3 semis. The Cheetahs finished second in Pool A losing to pool leaders Lions last weekend, prior to this the cats have been in impressive form. The Cheetahs make the trip to Kampala with a host of Kenyan internationals who made the same trip a few weeks ago for the Elgon Cup. It’s never easy for a Kenyan side travelling to Kampala and this will be no different, the Cheetahs will have to be in top form to come back with a win. I hope they got pointers from the Rhinos on how to handle their opponents. The Cheetahs will be without Leslie Ochieng who was cited for a stamp on Darwin Mukidza in the game against the Lions, they should have ample cover for him. The outcome of this match will heavily depend on whether the likes of Lawi Buyachi, Ronnie Mwenesi and Duncan Ekasi show up for the ball game. As we saw against the Lions, the trio along with most of the forwards was silent throughout the game, we all know how that went.

The other semi final will be the epic battle between the Lions and the Rhinos, the Lions make a comeback to the super series semi finals after missing out on the last two. The big cats have been in impressive form this far winning three out of three en route to this semi, and will be looking to carry this form on to see them reach their first final since winning the tournament in 2008. The Lions welcome back Dan Sikuta and Dennis Ombachi the duo who missed last weekend’s win over the Cheetahs while away at the Roma 7s. 

The Rhinos have had a shaky three games in this year’s campaign, starting off in free flowing form when they saw off the Victoria at the RFUEA. Then things changed when they left for Kampala to face the Rwenzori on match day 2, losing their first game in 16. From this loss the defending champs were unconvincing against the Buffaloes and will be looking to get back in top form when they play the Lions. The last time these two met in Nakuru last year, the Rhinos were 24-19 winners they will be looking for a repeat of that result that will see them make it to their 6^th final in a row. This match will be won or lost at the forwards, like most rugby matches are, both sides boast of a strong forward line with 5 out of the 6 starting front rows from both sides being Kenya regulars. Behind them is a foray of other Kenya XV main stays, it will also be an interesting matchup at the backs with players like Victor Sudi for the Rhinos and Collins Injera for the Lions. 

The Lions will be without their Back row veteran and Line out Master, Anthony Ogot who was cited for an intended stamp on Lawi Buyachi last weekend. A decision I still don’t understand..how do you get suspended for intent? Anyway Ogot will serve a one match ban and should be available for the final or third place play off depending on the result of this game. The Rhinos will probably be without center Dennis Muhanji and scrum half Edwin Achayo who both suffered injuries in Nakuru against the Bulls. Both sides should be able to cover the missing players, the Lions couldn’t have had Sikuta back at a better time as he can provide ample cover for Ogot, or even Brian Sagara who can do as good a job as Ogot in the line outs. The Rhinos who have Patrice Agunda back from sevens duty should see him slide in at centre and might look to Ian Chewaini at fly half with Agero playing 9 or vice versa..all in all it is the coaches to make the calls.

To a schools rugby update, no make that to an update of the only school that matters in school rugby..The Nairobi School. The 2012 Black Rock champions walloped RVA 24-3 in a Prescott match played during the week, that is all. 

With that ladies and gents…..have a fabulous weekend ahead, make sure you say hi when you see me at the RFUEA tomorrow also feel free to accompany that greeting with a drink..kwani waswahili hawakutupaka mafuta kwa mgongo wa chupa waliponena kwa ndimi zao za busara walopsema..mkono mtupu, haulambwi!!! Lol..

Finally a happy birthday to this mdem.. Ms. Kate @Odungareh, may you live to be able to do the split once more and finally decide on which club you support 100%!! Hehe do enjoy..sa mkose kuni ita bash tuonane… 

KWISHA….nimeruka nje!!!