Homeboyz rally to knock Harlequins out of Enterprise Cup

Kenyan internationals Dalmus Chituyi and Johnstone Olindi helped Menengai Cream Homeboyz stage a 12-11 fightback at the Jamhuri Grounds to knock Kenya Harlequins out of the Enterprise Cup on Saturday.

Brian Beckham’s two penalties and a Collins Ekesa try were not enough to see Harlequins through past the pre-quarters as Chituyi and Olindi scored two quick tries and a conversion to edge them out.

The Deejays failed to compose themselves soon after kick off, conceding a penalty and Beckham made them pay as the Paul Murunga-coached side trailed 6-0 early on.

Ekesa went on to rub salt on the Deejays wound with a a well worked move by Quins to score but went unconverted.

With the scores 11-0 at the interval Homeboyz found the mental strength to stage the comeback.

Homeboyz ran in two quick tries soon after the break from Chituyi and Olindi the scoreboard reading 10-11 awaiting a conversion.

Olindi stepped up to take up the kicking duties and he did not dissapoint with a well taken kick to seal the well deserved win.

The Deejays will now meet Nondies in the next phase quarterfinals next Saturday at the same venue.

Resolution Kisii withdrew from this year’s Cup competition citing financial constraint handing their would be opponents Stanbic Mwamba a straight quarterfinal qualification.

The two sides were scheduled to meet in a pre-quarterfinal fixture on Saturday 14 April 2018 in Kisii at the Gusii Stadium but the hosts communicated their inability to honor the fixture citing financial constraints.

The development sees Mwamba book a date with Kenya Cup Champion’s KCB in their quarterfinal game away to Ruaraka on Saturday 21 2018.

In a one sided game Blak Blad bagged a 25-3 away win over Mombasa RFC in Mombasa to advance to Enterprise Cup quarterfinals next weekend.

This will be Mombasa’s last game in top flight rugby as they have been relegated from the Kenya Cup after a dismall performance at the top flight.

Blak Blad will play Kabras Sugar in the quarters next weekend in Kakamega.

Strathmore Leos were set to meet Top Fry Nakuru at the Madaraka ground’s but the match was called off after Nakuru officials led by head coach Mitch Ocholla complained of unmarked rugby pitch.

Meanwhile in other games at the Championship league high flying Menengai Oilers failed to sparkle at their home ground after going down 33-5 to former Kenya Cup side Mean Machine.

Despite a well organised and strong side buoyed by the return of Shujaa wonder kid Samuel Muregi to their squad only managed a single try that went unconverted compared to six tries and a penalty for Machine.

However despite the loss Oilers still qualify for the Championship Playoffs set to be played next week and the Gibson Weru coached side are still on their quest for Kenya Cup promotion.

Menengai Oilers leads five other teams in qualifying for the KRU Championship playoffs following the end of the penultimate round of matches today.

The Nakuru-based side have garnered an unassailable 69 points finish top of the table, earning themselves a home semi final.

The second semifinalist pits Kakamega based side Western Bulls who were handed a walkover in Juja.

Former Kenya Cup side and third placed Mean Machine awaits the pairings later this week after ending the season on a high.

Kisumu , Catholic Monks, and USIU round off the teams that will be in action in the Top 6 playoffs whose pairings will also be determined later as the league phase draws to a close.

Machine on the hand despite the win will have to await all Summarised results as they are set to meet 6 placed placed in the 12 team Championship log for a Championship Playoffs as they continue their quest for a return in the top flight.

Western Bulls picked a 24-0 win over JKUAT after a walkover due to lack of the hometeam to provied an ambulance, JKUAT have since been relegated to the Nationwide league.

Bulls have since qualified for the Championship Playoffs come next weekend.

Summarised Results:

Enterprise Cup pre-quarterfinals, Saturday 14 April 2018:

Pre Quaters Final 1: Stanbic Mwamba through to next round after Kisii pulled out

Pre Quarters Final 2 :Blak Blad 25 Regional Logistics 03 Mombasa – Kenyatta University

Pre Quaters Final 3: Strathmore Leos v Top Fry Nakuru – Strathmore Not played awaiting communication from KRU.

Pre Quarters Final 4 :Menengai Cream Homeboyz
12 Kenya Harlequins 11

Quarters Saturday 21 April 2018:

QF1 KCB v Mwamba – Ruaraka

QF2 Kabras Sugar v winner PQF2 – Kakamega

QF3 Resolution Impala Saracens v winner PQF3 – Impala

QF4 Nondescripts v Homeboyz– Jamhuri Park