KCB scrape past Mwamba to maintain perfect start

KCB RFC fought to a hard-earned 27-24 win over Mwamba RFC at the Railway Club Nairobi on Saturday to maintain their perfect start to the new Kenya Cup season.

The Bankers set a high tempo to the clash early on, ripping open the opposition defence inside the first four minutes for their first try courtesy of David Chenge with Ben Musoti missing the resultant conversion.

KCB defence was breached 14 minutes later when Collins Injera equalized, picking a pass from his elder brother Humphrey Kayange before wiggling past the Lions backline to make it 5-5, with the two Kenya 7s stars not travelling to Namibia.

Edwin Salamba put the hosts back in front moments later, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Mwamba but the lead lasted only three minutes as Gregory Odhiambo broke away to put the tie level on 10-10.

George Mutuku made no mistake with the conversion as Mwamba took the lead for the first time.

A foul committed on the visitors proved costly as Malin Mulokwe stepped up to take the tie to 12-13 and just before the break KCB stretched the lead to a healthy 20-12 with Chenge grabbing his second try of the match.

After the restart, Mwamba bounced back in an emphatic fashion as Marcus Mureithi showed great technique to weave his way past the opposition to make his first touchdown and take the tie to 19-20.

Mwamba’s Captain Salaton Muturi made a forgettable second half cameo as he gave the ball cheaply away to the opponents who gladly accepted the gift to open up an eight-point lead with only 20 minutes to go.

However, the hosts fought and slashed the lead to just three in the dying minutes of the game but were shut out and ended up losing 27-24.

In other fixtures Kenya Harlequins and Menengai Cream Homeboyz continued their fine form, winning against Strathmore Leos and Nondescripts.

Leaders Catholic Monks were 13-6 winners over JKUAT Cougars in another match played at Juja in Nairobi.

-Report by Richard Obaga.