The Semi Finals Weekend.

With the league phase in the top two leagues finally done and the Quarter finals already played out in the other two, this weekend sees action move into the penultimate stage, the Semi finals.

In the Chairman's league, the Daystar Falcons booked their place in the Semi finals after beating Kemu Nairobi 11-6. That result also saw the remaining side from the Coast edition fall off meaning the champion from this one will come from the University edition.

Daystar Falcons (Blue) in action against CUEA

The Falcons now host the in form Comras at their Athi river backyard. The Last time these two met earlier this years at the same venue, the hosts were 17-0 winners. Since that loss the Comras have gone on to win three of their last three, those matches against much fancied opposition the likes of Nazarene, Kemu Nairobi and most recently Mombasa II. They will be out to revenge that loss and book their ticket to the Kasarani finals to cap what has been an impressive debut season. Daystar who will be firm favourites going into this one, the falcons are yet to lose a match this year and will be looking to keep that run going as they look to bring the Comras' run to a grinding halt.

The second semi final sees the Monks of Catholic University host the Millars of Thika. The last time these two met, the Monks won by a 27-10 score line. Since that match on the 15^th of December 2012, Thika have put together an impressive run of 5 wins in 5, It is this run that they will be fighting to keep alive and book a final berth. Catholic University have been the inform side in this division having only lost once all season and it goes without saying that they will be firm favourites going into this one.

Chairman's League Semi Finals   

Daystar vs Comras

Catholic Uni vs Thika RFC

The Nationwide sees a perfect balance in terms of semi finalists with two sides from each division facing each other meaning we will have a true battle of East and West at Kasarani.

The First Semi final sees Eldoret RFC take on Kakamega II both from the Western conference. Eldoret finished at the top of the Western Conference with Kakamega II coming in third, the two separated by 8 points. The last meeting between the two saw Eldoret RFC come out 14-0 winners, that was close to three weeks ago and Kakamega has since then beaten the much fancied USIU to earn the right to play here. They will be out to make things right and ensure procession to the final. Eldoret have had a solid season this far, losing only once..they will be looking to keep that record going.

Mombasa SC (blue/white)

The other semi final is to many, the final before the final, with Mombasa SC taking on the Egerton Wasps. It will be remembered that Egerton are the defending university champions, Mombasa came close to that title last season and have the opportunity to go all the way here. Mombasa SC finished top of the pile in the Eastern conference having not lost a game with Egerton finishing a distant third. Their previous encounter was obviously won by Mombasa though with a 10-0 score line. All indications point to a closely fought out match with probably a closer score line than that. With the winner here expected to go on and be crowned Nationwide champion at Kasarani.

Nationwide Semi Finals

Eldoret RFC vs Kakamega II

Mombasa SC vs Egerton

The Eric Shirley shield sees leaders Quins II come up against the Catulus of Strathmore at the RFUEA. Quins II will have the weight of the club on their shoulders as they hold the only chance of silverware in this campaign. Quins II have been almost unplayable through the season, winning all their matches to stretch that unbeaten run to almost 2 years. Quins II will however go into this one cautiously, knowing that in the Catulus they face one of their greatest challengers through the league face, having held them to a 26-22 scoreline the last time they met. Strathmore II will have another shot at being the first side to beat the mighty Quins II having just fell short that time and you bet that they will be up for it. This being the Quins' only hope of a title, let's hope they don't drop their regulars in this squad for some of the Kenya Cup main stays to tilt the balance. Barring that, this is bound to be an explosive encounter.

The other Semi final sees the Cubs of KCB host the boks of Impala at the den in Ruaraka. Impala II have been the only bright thing about this season for their club and will be looking to keep their star shinning when they visit the den. KCB II finished second at the end of the league run with Impala II coming in third, a point behind. The two last met here on game day 4 with the cubs claiming a 17-6 win. This one looks to be a bit closer than that, barring what I mentioned in the other semi final of Kenya cup regulars coming to crush the party. With the clubs looking to salvage their respective seasons this tends to happen, I hope this time round they will keep faith with the sides that got them this far.

The top flight sees replays of two very different matches, in one it was basically one way traffic with Strathmore putting 25 unanswered points past Mwamba. The other saw KCB take their hosts Nakuru to the wire eventually losing out 20-17.

The Leos in action against Blad (Photo courtesy of Strathmore Leos page)

That loss to Strathmore was one of two losses the black shirts suffered over the 11 week league round, and it came on the match day 4. In that encounter, the Leos came out on top courtesy of their trademark fast hits on the counter catching the Kulabu defence line on the back foot. If the black shirts are to revenge that loss, they will probably have to keep that ball better than they did, especially at the rucks where the Leos are known for their mastery in the art of the turn over. The Leos will look to keep that pressure at the breakdown and force penalties off their opponents and either punish them from the boot or their fluid counter attacks. 

Lavin Asego in action against Machine (Photo courtesy of Kulabu page)

The two are almost evenly matched across the field with Kulabu having more experienced veterans among their ranks with the Leos possessing the youth and flair. At the backs, Lavin Asego will lead the line at either 13 or 10 against Starth's Peter Ocholla at 10 or 15. In terms of forward power the likes of Tito Oduk and George Mbaye bring in a good chunk of years between them, as they come up against the young and more mobile eight of Adrian Opondo, Brian Okwomi just to mention a few. Kulabu might opt to bully their opponents into submission a tactic that the Leos are highly familiar with. Whichever way the technical benches go, this one is going to be an exciting match up.  

The other Semi final sees KCB make a return trip to the Suguta valley only 3 weeks after having lost their first match of the season there. In fact the Lions have not been the same side since that 20-17 loss, going on to lose to Quins then narrowly beating Blad. Interestingly Nakuru have had a similar run of form since then losing 1 and winning 1. 

Action from when KCB visited Nakuru last season.

In that encounter the lions were dominated at the forwards, the Wanyore managing to tame what had been a rampant forward line to that point. The hosts will be looking for a repeat performance to book a final berth. KCB on their part already know what to expect and will be a a bit more optimistic this time, having been dominated for long periods and yet managing to keep the score line that close what if they put their best foot forward? Their backs were the redeeming factor last time despite having to play under great pressure owing to the forwards, they will look to once again dominate here probably with better working conditions. All the Wanyore have to do here is stick to the script they had last time out, having managed to tame the lions they only need to tighten the holes at the back and march into the final.

Kenya Cup Semi finals.

Strathmore vs Mwamba

Nakuru vs KCB

A factor that could change both these games is the availability of the Yaka yard beings, yes they are not human. With these four providing 8 of them, their participation will add a twist to the games. Mwamba and KCB have three each with Nakuru and Strathmore accounting for 1 each. Having only jetted in on Wednesday with clubs training on Thursday, possibilities of them featuring are slim. Fatigue levels are set to be at an all time high, add that to the fact that they have been out of their club set up for close to a month now and those chances get even slimmer. That being said don't be surprised to see them come on at one point this weekend in a bid to help their sides make it to the final. The opportunity to help out your club to reach the league final may be too sweet to pass up.

My predictions this time will be a bit cautious, these two fixtures are probably too close to call, I will say this though that the winners in both will do it by a margin of not more than 7 points.

As the battle for the league heats up, so does the one for individual accolades I.e top point and try scorer. The top point scorer trophy seems to be done, dusted and headed to Filden Sinei's Cabinet having amassed a total of 67 points. Solomon Obiero of the Western Bulls is second on on 61 points, with Lyle Asiligwa of Quins in 3^rd on 58 points. Ken Andola on 49 points in 6^th will be the only player who can upset that balance as he's the only one in the top 10 to feature this weekend.

The top try scorer is not as clear with a three way tie veterans Victor Sudi and Dennis Mwanja are joined by Billy Odhiambo of Strathmore on 8 tries each. Darwin Mukidza and Mike Agevi of KCB and Mwamba respectively are on 7 a piece. Leornard Mugaisi and Kevin Were finish on 5 with Mwamba's Vincent Jumba, KCB's Max Adaka together with Strathmore's pair of Ginton Adongo and Tony Owuor still with a shot at increasing their tally from 5.

We will also keep an eye on this individual battle as the campaign draws to a close.

Finally on my salamz corner, belated birthday wishes to the man built like a box, Dennis Karani of Quins, Africa's blackest man KCB's Oliver Mangeni and Machine's Chairman George Mutuku, the trio celebrated their birthdays earlier in the week. Last but not least Early happy birthday wishes to a man you'll probably see writing here very soon, Harry Bor, Do Enjoy!

With that ladies and gents enjoy the matches wherever you will be, lets meet up here on Monday and compare notes....aaaannnnnnnndddddddd.....

KWISHA....Nimeruka Nje!!!