Maasai’s boots rescues Homeboyz

Kevin Maasai’s boots saved Homeboyz Rugby from the jaws of defeat; after his side, inspired by his brilliance, rallied from behind to knock out Kenya Harlequins 20-16 in the first quarterfinal of the Impala Floodlit  Tournament on Saturday night.

The “Deejays” staged a comeback of the night when they brushed off a 16-3 lead held by the Quins to win 20-16 at the Impala Floodies quarters on Saturday night at the Impala Club.

Homeboyz scored 17 unanswered points in the second half with Fly-half Kevin Maasai producing the moment of the day after an offload from debutant Mohammed Omollo.

Maasai’s kicking boots looked to be in check, after he converted his own try to make it 17-16 in favour of Homeboyz, and he was not done yet with a perfect penalty that he slotted in easily to win it for the “Deejaya”.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Maasai applauded his team mates for a superb game, but most importantly, the resilience.

“Quins are a worthy competitor but my teammates came out on top today. I would not have done all that alone and would love to thank my teammates for a splendid performance. We hope complacency shall not check in as we head to the semis,”Maasai said.

Homeboyz will have to battle it out with an equally enterprising opponent, KCB, who ran over championship side Kisii RFC 20-14, to qualify for the semifinal to be held this Saturday.

KCB ran in three tries, one penalty, and one conversion against Kisii’s converted try.  Marlin Mukolwe and Felix Ojow crossed over the whitewash for KCB, with Boaz Ombura and Alvin Maube scoring for Kisii.

Defending champions in the universities category, Menengai Oilers, had a good start at the floodlights’ running over six tries to thrash Mean Machine 39-3 to book a date with Technical University of Kenya (TUK).

Oilers ran in six tries, three conversions and a drop goal to eliminate their relegated championship mates. TUK, on the other hand, had to labour against a strong Strathmore side to win 8-3 in a close encounter.

Campus boys Blak Blad whipped Mount Kenya University 57-0 in a one- sided affair to book a spot in the semis with fellow campus boys, Catholic Monks.

MKU head coach, Peter Mutai, in an interview with Citizen Digital congratulated Blak Blad.

“It was a bit challenging for my boys and Blad came out strongly. We introduced new moves which didn’t work for us and we now have to go back to prepare for the nationwide league that is about to kick off and try to strengthen on our weakness, especially our defence,” said Mutai.

Semis Pairings

Club Semis:

1. Homeboyz Rugby vKCB
2. Mean Machine RFC v Resolution Impala Saracens

University Semis:

1. Menengai Oilers v Technical University of Kenya
2. Blak Blad v CUEA Monks

Plate Semis *Club competition:

Kenya Harlequins v Resolution Kisii RFC