The Cup Finals.

The proverbial curtains come down on the club fifteen's season this Saturday when the RFUEA grounds host the finals of the Mwamba Cup division II, Mwamba Cup and Enterprise Cup.

But first a quick glance over our shoulders to what was another blockbuster weekend of tens rugby in Nakuru. Unfortunately I couldn't get time to do a review, KCB walking away with their first ten a side title and finally left the rift town with smiles on their faces.

The 2013 Menengai Oil Great Rift 10 aside Champions

With the hosts and Mwamba opting to play it safe and keep their eyes firmly fixed on the Enterprise cup, it was the turn of the 'under dogs' to eat. The list of the Cup semi finalists had KCB, Homeboyz, Impala and Machine. Quins, Blak Blad, Eldoret and the hosts making up the Plate semi finalists. Two of my pre tournament favourites however failed to turn up to the ball game, Western Bulls and defending champions Leos who were supposed to breeze past everyone and do battle against the gods of 98. I don't know what Echulusi's excuse is but I guess four trophies on the trot was enough for the Leos, maybe they wanted to get a taste of the Bowl, maybe next year they'll be going for the Shield.

The biggest winners in this one, apart from KCB were Eldoret RFC, a cup semi final after claiming the scalps of Homeboyz and Strathmore is a great return for any team, this should give them a great confidence boost as they prepare to join the big boys in the Kenya Cup next season. Also worth a mention are the Comras who made it to the Shield final, in their first appearance in the tournament.

Back to the matters at hand, JKUAT will open the day's proceedings when they battle against Webuye for the newly created Mwamba Cup division II. This division has been dogged by multiple walk overs and sees Webuye make it to this final without playing a single match. Webuye were placed 8^th at the end of the 9 team Nationwide Western Conference league on 11 points having managed to win 2 and drawn 1 of the 8 fixtures played.

JKUAT on the other hand come into this final having edged out KCA 17-3 in the quarter finals and Masaku 24-10 in the Semi finals, both these victories coming away from home. The Cougars missed on the league quarter finals finishing fifth in the Nationwide Eastern Conference on 16 points with 4 wins and 4 losses from their 8 matches.

It goes without saying that the Cougars are favourites to lift the division II cup let's just hope they don't do it courtesy of a walk over.

Mwamba Cup Division II

JKUAT Vs Webuye - K.O 12 noon.

The first division of the Mwamba Cup sees the cubs of KCB defend the title they won last year against the boks of Impala. The defending champions have had a seemingly tougher route to the final, seeing off the Catulus of Strathmore 32-13 then going on to edge out the Arturos of Quins 22-16 after extra time, both of the wins coming at the den. The boks on their part had to see off Kisumu II 21-16 at the Kisumu Polytechnic and impressively blanking last year's finalists Mombasa SC 21-3 at the MSC.

Both sides carry their clubs' only hope for significant silverware this season, they have met twice before with the cubs coming out on top on both occasions, 17-6 and 19-15. From the score lines this one is going to be a closely fought out affair with the cubs probably being the pre match favourites.

Mwamba Cup

KCB II vs Impala II - K.O 2 PM

The Enterprise Cup final between the Menengai Oil Nakuru RFC and Mwamba RFC will be a repeat of the 2008, that one won by Nakuru RFC 34-24. Can the Wanyore repeat that feat and claim their first double or will Kulabu finally have sweet revenge 5 years later?

Mwamba are 3 time champions of the Enterprise cup, their campaign for the fourth crown got off to a flying start with that 65-19 demolition of Impala in the quarter finals, they then battled past a resilient Nondies side 35-25 to book this final berth.

Nakuru on their part will be going for their 7^th title and had to see off Quins 21-5 before posting an almost similar score (21-3) against their favourite opponents KCB at the NAC to book this date.

These two sides have been involved in some great match ups in history, the most recent one being the 15 all draw at the NAC in the league. The Kenya Cup champions hold a slight advantage in the forwards, but that advantage is nullified when you look at the two sets of backs where Kulabu hold the upper hand. 

In the two matches so far, the black shirts have employed Collo at 8, I don't see that being the case on Saturday. It worked like a joint charm from a Kamba and Tanzanian witch doctor in the first game where he banged in 6 tries. Against Nondies though his contribution was quite muted, especially having been pushed to 8 early on due to the injury to Tito. 

Against a more lethal Nakuru forward line, Collo might find himself in the more farmiliar 11. 

Action from the last time these two met. Photo/Kulabu

I expect Nakuru to maintain play in their forwards, with Kulabu looking more to play it at the backs with quicker set plays. Although the Wanyore are expected to dominate the forward play Mwamba are no push overs, with Tito Oduk, Salaton Muturi and Dan Sikuta they are a formidable unit.

Martin Mwita with Kelvin Omiyo and probably Oscar Ouma in the backs for Nakuru will also cause problems in the Mwamba back line. I expect Lavin Asego to continue at 13, where he has enjoyed a great run of form with a bit more time and space to pick holes in the defence, Atandi or the younger Asego coming in at 10 with Jumba at 12. With Collo, Agevi and Oduong probably manning the back three. I hear the Bristol man is around..if so, it would be a welcome headache for the black shirts.

Nakuru's forward line will probably feature the likes of Sammy Warui, Edwin Makori, John Ekongo and Lawi Buyachi. Whoever the technical benches opt to go for, this one will definitely be a crunching tie, with the Wanyore looking to complete their first double, Mwamba looking for their first major trophy since 2006. There's simply no way this one will be an anti climax like the other final we saw along thika road.

Let's hope and pray that the weather doesn't spoil what promises to be a great three matches on Saturday.

Enterprise Cup 

Nakuru vs Mwamba - K.O 4PM

Too close to call but here are my predictions for the three cups :

JKUAT over Webuye with more than 20 points for the Mwamba Cup II.

KCB II over Impala II with less than 10 for the Mwamba Cup, and...

Nakuru over Mwamba with less than 5 for the Enterprise Cup.

Before the finals on Saturday, there's the issue of this month's edition of Red Touch Tournament under Floodlights at the Impala club on Friday. This one needs no introduction, entry is free for fans..5,000 per team of 10 (6 players, 4 subs) lets meet there...

Finally an update on Mama Lyle, the funds drive in Nakuru managed to raise Ksh. 70,853/= the drive continues at the Red Touch on Friday and the Finals on Saturday. That Mpesa Number again for you 0725665128. A big Thank you to all who contributed.

With that Ladies and Gents.....

KWISHA....NIMERUKA NJE!!!!!