Nakuru Go Top Of Kenya Cup After Match Day 5.

Nakuru went back to the top of the Kenya Cup table after match day 5 albeit on points difference. The Wanyore were 54-5 winners over Machine at the NAC, to pip the Strathmore Leos who were stretched by the Western Bulls at their Madaraka backyard to eventually win 33-17.

Lawi Buyachi in action against Machine. (Photo - Nakuru RFC)

Both Nakuru and Strathmore sit on a 25 point total in the first two slots, with Nakuru holding a better point aggregate of 305 compared to Strathmore's 287 haul. Nondies relinquished third spot to Mwamba after going down 35-18 to Quins at the RFUEA grounds, the white shirts now occupy fourth spot with 19 points.

At the Nairobi Railway club Mwamba made easy work of the visiting Impala, beating the gazelles 24-0 to jump into third spot on 20 points.

The chasing pack is led by the immediate former champions, Kenya Harlequins in 5th, who took their points tally to a perfect 15 after three matches. The quartered shirts are closely followed by KCB, whose 20-14 win over Homeboyz took their tally to 13 points after 4 games.

Action from Mwamba vs Impala (Photo - Mwamba RFC)

Mombasa RFC who started game week 5 in 11th spot took full advantage of the losses by the sides above them, to jump into 4 places to 7th on 8 points after narrowly beating BlakBlad 14-12 at the MSC.

That loss to KCB, sees Homeboyz slip to eighth having earned a losing bonus at the den to take their tally to 7 points. The so far impressive Bulls sit in 9th spot on 6 points, a similar tally to 10th placed Blakblad. The loss to Mwamba sees Impala wallowing in 11th place with 4 points to show for the three games they have
played so far.

Eldoret move out of last place after being awarded the walk over result against Kisumu, taking their tally to 3 points in 12th, Machine are in 13th on a point, with Kisumu anchoring the league standings with -2 points after failing to honour their fixture against Eldoret.

ESS

In the ESS, Nakuru II kept their grip on first place, taking their points tally to 25 after demolishing Machine II 49-0 at the NAC. Strathmore II remain in second, after beating Western Bulls II 22-3. Nondies II made sure that they kept in touch with the leaders, as they battled past Quins II 20-13 to take their tally to 20
points.

KCB II jumped to fourth on 19 points after recording a 47-0 win over Homeboyz II at the Lions' den, the cubs have played 4 matches so far.

Mwamba II sit in fifth with a similar points tally to the cubs but with an inferior points difference, the black shirts were 15-7 winners againts the Impala boks at the Nairobi Railway Club. The loss to Nondies II sees defending champions Quins II remain in 6th after earning a losing bonus in that one, taking their tally to 11
points, equal with Blad II who were 20-5 winners at the MSC.

Homeboyz II, Western Bulls II and Impala II round up the top 10 in that order, with 10,9 and 6 points
respectively.

Strath II VS Wbulls II (Photo - Western Bulls)

Mombasa II are in 11th, on 3 points, Eldoret II finally jumped to the right side of the number line, on one point, after benefiting from a walk over against Kisumu II. Mean Machine II on 0 points sit in 13th with Kisumu II on -4 points after failing to honour two matches.

The two leagues are slowly shaping up with the Nakuru and Strathmore sides setting the pace, Nondies have so far had a great start on both fronts and will be looking to sustain this momentum in the coming weeks despite the Kenya cup loss.

Quins have so far managed to keep the leading pack within striking distance, and with the performance against Nondies, they will be upbeat in the coming weeks. The ESS is another story for the quartered shirts, 2 losses 4 matches sees the Arturos 8 points behind fourth place though with a game in hand.

KCB have had a slow start to the Kenya cup, the Lions are still to hit top form and looking at their set of fixtures before the turn of the year they need to find that form soon. Their ESS side though have made a blistering start, scoring 196 points in 4 matches and look poised to challenge the top two sides in the coming weeks.

Mwamba's sides have also had a strong start, with the early signs showing that the black shirts will be battling out for the play offs to the very end.

One side that has caught the eye despite results not going their way is Western Bulls, they'll probably not be in the play offs this year but they are growing steadily and will be a real threat to whoever they face, especially at the Kakamega High School.

With solid management structures and a healthy player base, it is only a matter of time before the Echulusi establish themselves as a real rugby power house.

On the flip side is Kisumu RFC, they already look like prime candidates for relegation, in fighting and a basic lack of management that has so far seen the side fail to honour one fixture in the Kenya Cup, and there was the story of the ghost side against Strathmore.

Still on relegation, Mombasa look to have done about enough to secure top flight status next season, 2 wins against Blad and Eldoret sees the Mombasa side safely in mid table.

Mombasa in action against Nakuru on match day 1 (Photo - Nakuru)

Things don't look so good for Mean Machine, who are still on 1 point, looking at their fixtures though you could say that better days lie ahead having already played the big 5 sides.

Depending on how much the national fifteens side will be engaged in the coming months, the Kenya cup will probably be decided on which side can manage better without their national team players.

When  you consider that, the likes of Nondies and Mwamba jump into the thick of things, with Quins all of a sudden looking from the outside. Which ever way it goes the coming weeks are set to be exciting as the battle for play off positions and relegation heats up.

With that ladies and gents.....

KWISHA....Nimeruka Nje!!!!