The Enterprise & Mwamba Cups Quarter Final Preview..

I know y’all have missed me..no need of mentioning the obvious so let’s move on. A lot of rugby has been played since the last time you were here. The English counties played their first fixture against the Elgon warriors in Kampala, the first round of matches in the Enterprise and Mwamba Cups were played. There was also a lot of board room rugby during the same period, Fridays hasn’t finished his voyage around the globe so he’s still not here, there were rumours of the disbandment of the U-19 and ladies teams..blah blah blah..yaddie yaddie yadda..since I can’t confirm any of those stories…yet, I’ll stick to what you and I know..what happens in that rectangular patch of grass with the odd shaped ball.

The Enterprise and Mwamba Cups enter their second match week which is also the Quarter finals stage of the knock out tournaments at the weekend with several games spread out around the Country, here are the fixtures:

MWAMBA CUP

KCB II v Kenya Polytechnic (K.O 1pm , Ruaraka)

USIU v Mwamba II (K.O 1pm, USIU)

Impala II v Strathmore II (K.O noon, Impala)

Multimedia v Mombasa RFC (K.O 1pm, Catholic University) 

ENTERPRISE CUP

Quins v Kisumu RFC

Strathmore v KCB (K.O 1pm, Strathmore)

Impala v Homeboyz (K.O 1:30pm, Impala)

Nondies v Western Bulls (K.O 1pm, Jamuhuri grounds)

Very interesting match ups in the Mwamba Cup, with the KCB cubs entertaining Kenya Poly in what looks like an easy outing for the hosts on paper. Kenya Poly saw off Machine II 20-8 last weekend to get to this stage, it will be also be remembered that it is this same ploy side that gave Impala a real run for their money in the concluded Chairman’s cup though they did go down 13-12. KCB II on the other hand will be in high spirits after seeing off Nakuru II 11-8 to get here, they will be looking to keep the momentum going as they seek to end the season with a trophy.

USIU who used their rest weekend to stage their Wazee Vijana fixture will be getting back to serious business when they host Mwamba II in the second Quarter final. Mwamba II narrowly edged out Quins II 23-22 last weekend and will be looking to build on this impressive result and move into the semis. The Kenyan Students studying locally in the US of A will be looking to cause an upset when they host their more fancied opponents, it promises to be an interesting match up.

Impala II will be hosting Strathmore II in what is my stand out fixture in this set of quarter finals, both sides come in to this one off the back of huge wins. Impala putting 62 past Thika RFC with Strath walloping Daystar 86-3, thus both sides will not be lacking in confidence when they face off.

The other Quarter final sees Multimedia University doing battle against Mombasa RFC at the Catholic University. Mombasa beat Nondies II 20-12 to set up this encounter with MMU having to dig in deep to see off their University Counter parts Ctholic University 12-9.

Most people would have not predicted the above Quarter final pairings when the draw for the Enterprise Cup was announced. Kisumu RFC showing just what a force they are at home seeing off Nakuru RFC 25-20, in what was the highlight of the week. Western Bulls also causing an upset of their own, when they beat Machine 30-22.

With that result Kisumu have earned themselves a trip to the capital where they will be guests of the high flying Quins. This fixture can only have one result and that is a Quins win, but isn’t that what guys said when Kisumu played Nakuru? The Kondele boys will not be lacking in confidence coming into this one and though they will be major under dogs, I don’t think that they will let that tag get to them as they look to claim their second high profile scalp. Quins come into this one well rested as they did not play last weekend and will be looking to kick off their chase for a second major title this season in confident form though they should tread carefully against this Kisumu side. 

The Second Quarter final will see Strathmore University come up against KCB, Strath had already been drawn in the Quarter finals due to their performance in last year’s tournament. KCB had to fight it out with their Lions franchise brothers Mwamba to get to this point, the Lions (KCB) winning that one 25-3. The Lions will be out for revenge as you might remember the last time these two met in a Kenya Cup fixture at the Impala grounds the XXVII crew walked out of the pitch as victors. Strathmore will have to show the same amount of defensive and tactical discipline if they are to repeat that feat. 

The third Quarter final match will see Ngong road neighbours and Cheetahs franchise bros Homeboyz and Impala face off at the Impala grounds. The Djs seeing off Blak blad 21-6 to set up this match up with Impala already in the Quarters.Recent encounters between the two have been closely fought out affairs and this one should be no different.

Surprise package Western Bulls will be looking to cause their second major upset in a row when they travel to face Nondies at the Jamuhuri park. The Bulls, as mentioned earlier saw off Machine to get here and will fancy their chances against a Red lion side that has been shaky in most parts of this season. Us guys of Nondies on the other hand will be looking to make a real charge at this trophy with a win here.

To the match of the weekend, the English Counties taking on the Elgon Warriors at the RFUEA, in the first meeting at the Kyadondo Rugby Club, the Counties were 39-5 winners. That match was in most parts closer than that score line suggests, especially in the first half. The Warriors managed to run the visitors on several occasions but couldn’t wiggle out of the Counties forwards who were immense in that game and were the difference between the two sides at the end of the day. The Counties were also very efficient going forward with fly half Rory Teague pulling the strings exquisitely. The Warriors holding their own in the first half and early in the second before they capitulated in the latter stages of the game, Dan Adongo the outstanding performer in the side.

Going into the second game the Warriors will be without Seguya, Muhanji and Wokorach the trio injured in that first game. They will be replaced by Tony Mutai, Wilson K'opondo and Ronnie Mwenesi which is interesting seeing as Muhanji plays at center and the three replacements are forwards. Maybe Ham is looking to play Dan at Center or maybe Kopo? I also expect Peter 'matricks' Mutai to come in at Number 9 for Anthony Kinene the latter who did well in Kampala but Mutai can offer abit more. With that we should play to our strengths, qiuck balls off the rucks and run that ball through out the game as we saw, we can cause a lot of problems to the Counties defense with ball in hand. Our kicking must also improve, let's hope that the kickers will have their kicking boots on.

It should be a great encounter, a lot tighter than the first seeing as both sides know what to expect from each other.                 

With that ladies and gents...enjoy your Rugby at the weekend aannnnddddd....

KWISHA!!! Nimeruka nje.....