Wounded Impala seek to grind misfiring Machine

Resolution Impala Saracens Director of Rugby Fred Ollows says his team plays the best when not concerned with their opponents’ form.

Impala will host Mean Machine in the opener of the 11th round of the Kenya Cup on Saturday at RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.

Machines have not won any match in 2016/2017 season and remain bottom with the pressure of fighting off relegation being felt at the grand old club.

“We usually play our best regardless of the opponent and we respect all teams because there is always something to work on,” Ollows said.

“The game was quite intense; you saw the competition went right up to the end. Obviously mentally the team was a lot readier than the last time we played”.

“There were quite a few defensive errors that we have worked on. I like the attitude of the guys fighting till the last minute actually chasing the bonus point,” Ollows added.

Quins who are second on the log ran in five tries, a penalty try and three conversions against Impala’s four tries and three conversions last weekend in their 36-26 victory that left them trailing leaders KCB on try difference at the top of the standings.

Quins head coach Joel Ng’ang’a maintains his team is going for the title.

“We doing our part not and chasing anybody but we want to be number one so we’ll have to see how it goes. We’re playing Western Bulls next so we’ll still prepare as harder as we did this week as we march on now getting closer to the playoffs,” Ng’ang’a stressed.

The leaders have 40 points apiece from nine games, ten ahead of the chasing pack lead by Kabras Sugar in third with Homeboyz (27) who have a game in hand after their clash against Blak Blad was postponed and Mwamba (26) rounding the top five.

The Homeboyz match was deferred to allow the team to send off their player, Andrew Wekesa, who was murdered a fortnight previously.

RFUEA will host the double header as Kenya Harlequins host Western Bulls later Saturday.

Four-time Kenya Cup champions KCB will be looking forward to extend their lead at the top of the table when they host Blaq Blad in the eleventh round of Kenya Cup on Saturday 4 February 2017.

Unbeaten this season they narrowly won 22-17 against defending champions Kabras Sugar last weekend.

Kabras will be looking forward to return to winning ways when they host Nondescripts at Kakamega Showground while Top Fry Nakuru will be at home playing against Strathmore Leos.

Elsewhere Menengai Cream Homeboyz will host Mwamba at Jamhuri Park.

Match Day 11

Saturday, February 4

Resolution Impala Saracens v Mean Machine – 2.00pm, RFUEA

Kabras Sugar v Nondescripts – 4.00pm, Kakamega Showground

KCB v Blak Blad – 4.00pm, KCB Sports Club

Top Fry Nakuru v Strathmore Leos – 4.00pm, Nakuru Athletic Club

Menengai Cream Homeboyz v Mwamba -4.00pm, Jamhuri Park

SportPesa Quins v Western Bulls – 4.15pm, RFUEA