Impala Saracens out to cut Blak Blad down to size

Impala Saracens who won their Kenya Cup opener against Nondescripts in the first Ngong Road derby of the season take on Blakblad who lost by 47-8 to table leaders Kenya Harlequins at Nairobi University Grounds hoping for a second win on the bounce.

The Sarries director of Rugby Fred Ollows however, cautioned Blakblad are tricky opponents but they will count on their first win of the season as they match on.

“If you let the ball loose all over the place it will be problematic so the intention is to control the possession as much as possible and then obliviously defend as well,” added Ollows.

Nondescripts play second-placed Menengai Cream Homeboyz on Saturday at the Nairobi ASK showground hoping to recover from the loss to their archrivals

Defending champions Kabras Sugar, who started their defence with a narrow win against Mean Machine 14-13 will be the visitors to Western Bulls who will be looking to bounce back after being demolished 31-0 by KCB.

Other matches will see Mean Machine host Top Fry Nakuru at the UoN Grounds, Mwamba lock horns with KCB at Railway Club while Strathmore Leos play Kenya Harlequins at Madaraka Grounds all in Nairobi.

In the first round which kicked off on Saturday five games were played with Impala prevailing over Nondescripts 37-22 at Impala Club.

Impala ran five tries, two penalties and three conversions against Nondescript’s one penalty, three tries and two conversions.

“The game was very difficult but one of the things I am happy about is how we strike, our strike-rate was quite good we didn’t have as much possession as we typically have against Nondies. They were very competitive at the condition point as you can see it paid off for them,” Ollows said after the victory.

He went ahead to praise Nondies character saying they were strong opponents.

“Nondies are a good side, they will come better as they play more games. This year they have much better front-row than they had last year and you know rugby stars at the front.”

Nondescripts RFC assistant coach Willis Ojal said Saturday’s performance against Impala was appealing and more should be expected from the Red Lions.

Nondies are now eighth in the standings as Ojal says the performance is just going to get better and better as the season goes.

“Definitely, we are learning a few things here and there so expect more from Nondies, it can only get better now,” he added.

Second round fixtures

Blak Blad v Resolution Impala Saracens – 2.00pm, UoN

Mean Machine v Top Fry Nakuru – 4.15pm, UoN

Western Bulls v Kabras Sugar – 4.00pm, Kakamega High School

Mwamba v KCB – 4.00pm, Railway Club

Nondescripts v Menengai Cream Homeboyz – 4.00pm, Jamhuri Park

Strathmore Leos v SportPesa Quins – 4.00pm, Madaraka