KCB Lions roar to top after Quins taste first defeat

KCB are the current leaders of Kenya Cup standings after Menengai Cream Homeboyz ended Harlequins unbeaten record with a 15-10 victory in the eighth round of the domestic top flight that resumed over the weekend.

The league had been paused following the death of two players within a week in December with clubs given until the start of the 2017/18 season to fully implement Kenya Rugby Union requirements on medical testing on their squads.

Darwin Mukidza landed 25 points to inspire the four-time Kenya Cup champions KCB as they proved that a 33-3 win over Nakuru at the Lion’s Den on November 19 was not a fluke as they completed a double over the two-time winners.

KCB registered their first victory win in Nakuru since 2009 in their 28-10 victory over Top fry Nakuru to top the table with 32 points and pushing the hosts down to sixth on 17.

Entering Jamhuri Park on Saturday as leaders, Quins started on the wrong footing early in the match after Peter Misango saw a red card for a dangerous tackle.

The Deejays took the advantage to take a 5-0 first half lead inside the opening 20 minutes after centre Max Kang’eri crossed the whitewash.

Further tries from Collins Shikoli and Oscar Ayodi saw Homeboyz go 15-3 up before a late Quins surge saw Brian Okwomi touchdown.

Quins sit second on 30 while the Deejays rose to fifth on 23.

Newly signed Ugandan international Philip Wokorach ensured Kabras Sugar stayed unbeaten with a 37-32 win over Mwamba in a thrilling match played at the Nairobi Railway Club to stay third in the log on 28, while Mwamba sit seventh (16).

Winger Quinto Ongo scored three penalties as Impala Saracens beat hosts Strathmore Leos 29-14 to complete a Kenya Cup double over the varsity lads to move up to fourth (25).

Saturday’s defeat left Mitch Ocholla’s charges with a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the Top Six play-offs and stay in the hunt for a maiden league title as they sit eighth (11) on the log.

Ninth placed Nondescripts (10) were too strong for Blak Blad below them in demolishing them 30 -12 in the eighth round opener.

The 17-time Kenya Cup champions pulled off the double against the varsity side, having beaten Blad 29-11 in the corresponding fixture at the Kenyatta University in November.

Western Bulls moved up a place to 10^th (nine) after Saturday’s 29-19 bonus point win away to Mean Machine who sit last in the log with a point.