KCB Rugby winning run continued as they beat a much improved Nakuru RFC 26-13 in a Kenya Cup encounter at KCB Sports Club on Saturday.
This marks Nakuru’s sixth consecutive loss in the 2021 season, they last won a match on March 6 beating MMUST 23-10. KCB scored two tries in either halves and converted three of the tries to pick five points. Nakuru scored two second-half tries and a first-half penalty in the defeat.
The Bankers came to this encounter off a seven-match winning run and settled quickly to score in the opening five minutes.
They camped in Wanyore’s territory and after several phases, the ball was shifted to the right side finding Felix Ojoo who battled his way to the try-line for the opening try. Levy Amunga curled in a conversion for seven points.
Nakuru would pick momentum and kept KCB on a backfoot after the restart but failed to get points from their first surge forward as Samuel Mwaura’s kick went wide at the eighth minute.
Two minutes later, Mwaura again failed to hit the target from his second penalty attempt. Their breakthrough came after 23 minutes of play and when Fredrick Odongo drilled in three points.
Nakuru continued to put pressure on the hosts but could not trim the gap further.
KCB scored the second try with three minutes to play. From a scrum, Elly Mukaizi dived over for a try that Darwin Mukidza converted changing the scorers to 14-3.
Nakuru’s hunt for a try paid off at the start of the second half. From a scrum, Donald Aluoch with a darting run towards the right side fed charging John Okoth with a short ball. The Kenya Simbas centre sliced through KCB’s defence to score their first try.
Mwaura who had struggled with his conversion rate missed an opportunity to cut the gap to three points.
KCB upped their game after the entry of the likes of Davis Chenge, Rocky Aguko and Michael Wanjala. Curtis Aluoch charges came close and Wanjala picked Aguko with a pass and the forward wrestled past his markers before barging over for the third try. Mukidza converted for a 21-8 lead.
A beautiful support play would follow with Aguko crossing over but the try did count as the referee spotted a knock.
Their fourth and bonus point try came at the 69th minute when Aguko claimed the ball from a line and a maul followed with captain Curtis Lilako grounding the ball for 26-8 lead. Mukidza this time around failed to get the conversion right.
The try seemed to serve as a wake-up call for the former Champions and a beautiful continuity play saw hooker Emmanuel Mboya pop to supporting Mwaura for their second try.
Elphas Adunga crossed over for another try but it was ruled out. KCB are expected to face Kabras on matchday 12.
KCB Rugby 1. Oscar Simiyu 2. Griffin Musila 3. Curtis Lilako 4. Brodie Kagai 5. Oliver Mang’eni 6. Felix Ojoo 7. Elly Mukaizi 8. Peter Waitere 9. Samuel Asati 10. Smith Muhoya 11. Darwin Mukidza 12. Brian Omondi 13. Peter Kilonzo 14. Elphas Adunga 15. Levy Amunga
Replacements: 16. James Ochieng 17. George Gichure 18. Patrick Ouko 19. Davis Chenge 20. Rocky Aguko 21. Michael Wanjala 22. Esau Otieno 23. Isaac Njoroge
Nakuru RFC: 1.Mike Mare 2.Emmanuel Mboya 3.Felix Omondi 4.Philip Owuor 5. Thomas Okeyo 6.Felix Okoth 7.Amos Obae 8.Edwins Makori 9.Donald Aluoch 10.Fredrick Odongo 11.Cassius Omollo 12.Brian Kimani 13. John Okoth 14. Hannington Wabwire 15. Samuel Mwaura
replacements: 16. JULIUS Agesa 17. Felix Oleche, 18. Newton Okeyo, 19. Beavon Mboya, 20. Edwin Anunda, 21 Casper Kioko, 22 Billy Kipchirchir 23. Chrispine Onyango