RUGBY Another tantalizing Kabras vs KCB Kenya Cup final on the cards after semis triumph as Impala, Pirates secure promotion

For the second season in a row, Kabras will host KCB in a Kenya Cup final following their victories in the semi finals.

Rugby fans will be treated to another clash of the titans Kenya Cup final when Kabras Sugar will host KCB RFC following both sides' victory over Nondies and Menengai Oilers respectively.

A nail biting semi final was staged at the KCB Sports Club where the Bankers needed a last gasp try from Bob Muhati to punch a ticket to the final following a 21-12 win over a spirited Menengai Oilers side.

In the other semi final Kabras Sugar brushed aside record Kenya Cup champions Nondies 37-9 with the promoted side finishing the game try-less.

KCB and Kabras will now meet in the final to be hosted in Kakamega on Saturday 6 April.

In the KRU Championship, Impala Saracens and South Coast Pirates will both be playing in the Kenya Cup next season after winning their respective semi-finals against MMUST and Daystar Falcons respectively.

Pirates beat Daystar 30-15, while Impala overcame MMUST 12-11.

KCB 21-12 Menengai Oilers

The Bankers nearly drew first blood when Festus Shiasi found himself running through a tight Oilers defense and nearly landed the ball, but sensationally could not find a way to score five points.

KCB took the lead from a Mukidza penalty following an infringement by Oilers but the Nakuru-based outfit would restore parity some 20 minutes later through a penalty.

Oilers should have gone ahead yet again 13 minutes from the end of the first half through another penalty that hit the upright, keeping things level.

Gibson Weru's charges would score another penalty after KCB had given away another penalty after executing a scrum wrongly.

Just before the break, the first try of the match would finally be scored when substitute Vincent Onyala received the ball before running down the touchline and place it home to give them an 8-6 lead at the break.

KCB would score two penalties through Mukidza again in the second half to give them a 14-9 lead, but Oilers did score another penalty to reduce the deficit to just two points, underpinning the fine margins that surrounded this game.

However, once the visitors missed a penalty in the closing stages of the match that could otherwise have put them 15-14 up, they gave up, and it played into the home side’s advantage as powerful center Bob Muhati would land the sucker-punching try, which was converted well, to give them the 21-12 win in the end.

Kabras Sugar 37-9 Nondies

Kabras launched into the match with a burst of energy, immediately putting pressure on the visitors, Nondies, and keeping them pinned back in their own half. They came close to scoring a try in the fifth minute, but a mishap from George Nyambua gave Nondies an opportunity to gain ground.

However, Kabras quickly made their mark on the scoreboard with Ntabeni Dukisa converting an early penalty, putting them in the lead 3-0.

Despite Nondies managing to break into Kabras' territory after a knock-on by Gabriel Adero, Kabras regained their momentum. Griffin Chao seized an opportunity on the wing and scored the first try of the game, with Ntabeni Dukisa securing the extras, extending Kabras' lead to 10-0.

Nondies responded swiftly with a penalty kick from Nyaenya Moseti, narrowing the gap to 10-3. But Kabras struck back with another try, this time from Ntabeni Dukisa, assisted by Griffin Chao. Despite Dukisa missing the conversion, Kabras ended the first half with a comfortable lead of 15-6.

The reigning Kenya Cup champions maintained their dominance into the second half, securing two more tries in quick succession through Brian Tanga and George Nyambua. Despite Dukisa missing both conversion attempts, Kabras extended their lead to 25-6.

Nondies attempted to add points through penalty kicks, with Nyaenya Moseti succeeding once more, bringing the score to 25-9.

Griffin Chao extended Kabras' lead further with his second try of the game, showcasing his skills by outpacing Nondies' defense. However, Barry Robinson missed the conversion, leaving the score at 30-9.

In the closing moments of the game, Kabras sealed their victory as Bryceson Adaka grounded a loose ball in the trybox, with Dukisa effortlessly converting the try.

With a final score of 37-9, Kabras secured a home final and will face KCB.

Impala 12-11 MMUST

Quinto Ongo was Impala’s toast in Kakamega, his right boot kicking over four penalties to steer Impala back to the Kenya Cup courtesy of a one point win over hosts Masinde Muliro in a tightly contested KRU Championship semifinal fixture at the Masinde Muliro University Grounds in Kakamega.

Ongo drilled Impala ahead with a penalty before Washington Ombima kicked over a drop goal and penalty to see the hosts take a 6-3 lead before Ongo struck again with a penalty to see the sides even, 6-6 at the interval.

Another Ongo penalty after the restart took Impala 9-6 up before the hosts retook the lead through Kelvin Bukhala’s unconverted try for an 11-9 lead.

Ongo would step up with a crunch kick, drilling it between the posts to make it 12-11 to secure the win, a place in next weekend’s final but more importantly, a berth for Impala in the Kenya Cup after two seasons in the second tier following their relegation at the close of the 2021/22 season.

South Coast Pirates 30-15 Daystar Falcons

South Coast Pirates secured their maiden Kenya Cup berth after defeating 30-15 Daystar Falcons in Diani.