Defending Kenya Cup champions, Kenya Commercial Bank are only a heartbeat away from retaining the title after a convincing 43-9 win over Impala on Saturday at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

They need only a draw in their remaining match against Kenya Harlequin FC next Saturday to ensure the Cup remains on Thika Road. It is fitting end to the league which saw the bankers, Quins and Impala take the title chase to the wire.

The win added a new twist to the title chase which could have been decided by an Impala win. Impala have not won a match at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka for six years now.

Already, KCB II has won the Eric Shirley Shield after beating Impala II 26-10 at the same venue.

KCB 43 Impala 9

Impala were quick off the starting blocks as Moses Kola kicked over a penalty in the first minute. Peter Mutai, the opposite scrum-half leveled in the third minute before Kola added his second one minute later for the lead to change hands 6-3 in Impala’s favour.

This was the last time they led. Former Impala player Curtis Olago cut through the Impala defence to plant the ball between the posts in the seventh minute and Mutai converted for KCB to lead 10-6.

Five minutes later, Mutai kicked over his second penalty to extend the lead 13-6 as KCB took charge with their combative hooker Neil Dick and flanker Anthony Ogot outstanding. Mutai missed a seemingly easy penalty in the 21st minute but it was already evident that Impala, who were contained in their half were struggling especially in the forwards.

Rarely were Impala given a chance to run the ball. Occasionally Innocent Simiyu who played alongside his younger brother Nato and Dan Weku made darting runs through the KCB backs but lacked support. Weku played opposite his younger brother Job.

Kola put over his third penalty in the 28th minute to rekindle hopes of come back as they did in the first leg. But, KCB answered back with a well-worked try by the forwards who drove their opponents back before Ogot scored a try in the 30th minute. Mutai converted for a 23-9 lead.

The KCB flanker scored his second try five minutes later when a mistake by Impala winger Naftaly Bondo and Simiyu hesitated to retrieve a ball chipped over by Mutai. Just before half time, Mutai was yellow carded but the numerical advantage barely showed.

In the second half, Mutai came back from the sin bin to score a try in the 56th minute. He converted. Derrick Wamalwa was next over in the 61st minute and Mutai stroked over a penalty in the 77th minute.

Bill Githinji, a former Impala coach said his charges kept to the structure. “It was a fantastic win. We forced Impala into errors which we capitalized on. The win gives us a more decent chance for the title. The match against Quins will be the final. It is a knock out time,” Githinji commented.

His opposite number Benjamin Ayimba admitted Impala succumbed to pressure and fell short in a championship match. “We did not rise to the occasion. KCB got us on the back foot and capitalized on our mistakes. There were many missed tackles in the first phase and the players were not composed,” Ayimba admitted.

Strathmore University 28 Mean Machine 8

Debutants Strathmore University scored a decisive 28-8 win over Mean Machine at Nairobi School. The feat was achieved without several key players who are in Tunisia with the junior national team which is also coached by Strathmore’s Mitch Ocholla.

Try scorers for Strathmore University were Ted Salano, Kariuki Njoroge and Hastings Nyariki. Joshua Gathumbi put over one penalty while Ian Chewaini added one conversion and three penalties.

Dan Olonde replied with a try for Mean Machine and Kevin Gachoka added a penalty.

Quins 48 Nondies 16

Kenya Harlequin FC set up an epic clash with KCB after overcoming Nondies 48-16 at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground. The win by a bonus point takes them to 58 points. They need an outright win by a bonus point for the cup to return to Ngong Road.

Nakuru RFC 14 Mombasa Sports Club 0

Mombasa Sports Club forfeited their match to Nakuru after failing to travel.

ERIC SHIRLEY SHIELD

Kenya Commercial Bank II bounced back from 5-7 down at half time to beat visiting Impala II 26-10 to claim the ESS title. Try scorers for the bankers were Steve Matioli, Issa Chibole, Edwin Ohana and Ian Indimuli. Matioli added three conversions.

Impala replied with a try by Sam Shikanda which Silas Otieno converted.

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