Kabras vs KCB washed off as abandoned fixtures dominate Kenya Cup Matchday 10

The highly anticipated Kenya Cup clash between KCB Rugby and Kabras RFC at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka was abandoned at halftime after torrential downpour left the pitch unplayable, with the scores tied at 10-10.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

The match had promised to be a thrilling contest between two of the country’s top sides, but worsening weather conditions forced match officials to halt proceedings after the break due to safety concerns.

According to Kenya Rugby Union Director of Rugby Paul Odera, centre referee Kevin Wambugu ruled the pitch unsafe for play following a halftime assessment.

Kabras head coach sounds warning of impeding decline despite 50 consecutive victories

“We were able to play the first half, but at halftime the centre referee, Kevin Wambugu, ruled that the pitch was unplayable due to player safety concerns. It was unfortunate because it had been a good game.

We will now be guided by the regulations through the Fixtures and Leagues Committee, which will review the different options, whether the result will stand or whether the match will be played at a later date,” Odera said.

If the result is allowed to stand as a draw, Kabras would extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 51 matches and remain top of the Kenya Cup standings.

KCB began the match with intensity, camping deep inside Kabras’ territory in the opening minutes in front of a packed Den.

The Bankers forced the visitors into early mistakes and earned two penalty opportunities, but fly-half Brian Wahinya failed to convert both attempts.

Despite the misses, the hosts maintained pressure and eventually broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Wahinya successfully slotted a penalty to give KCB a 3-0 lead.

Blow for Kabras RFC as South African utility back retires

KCB continued to dominate territory and nearly breached Kabras’ defence on several occasions before eventually crossing the whitewash through Fidel Maina. Wahinya added the conversion to extend the hosts’ lead to 10-0.

The Sugarmen initially struggled to gain field position, with handling errors disrupting their rhythm.

However, once Kabras finally ventured into KCB’s 22, they made the opportunity count. Sustained pressure resulted in a try under the posts, allowing Eric Cantona to add a straightforward conversion and reduce the deficit to 10-7.

Rain began pounding around the 20-minute mark, turning the contest into a tactical kicking battle as the pitch became increasingly muddy and slippery.

Kabras grew in confidence and capitalised on another opportunity late in the half when Cantona slotted a penalty to level the scores at 10-10 just before halftime.

The second half never got underway as the heavy rain intensified, leaving the surface unsafe and reducing visibility.

Match officials ultimately decided to abandon the game after determining that continuing would pose a risk to player safety.

The second half never got underway as the heavy rain intensified, leaving the surface unsafe and reducing visibility.

Match officials ultimately decided to abandon the game after determining that continuing would pose a risk to player safety.

The fixture had drawn significant attention as KCB sought their first win over Kabras since February 2022, having lost nine consecutive encounters against the Sugarmen in both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup.

Kabras had arrived at the Den riding high after reaching the historic milestone of 50 consecutive Kenya Cup victories, and the outcome of the abandoned clash now rests with the Kenya Rugby Union’s Fixtures and Leagues Committee.

Kenya Cup Week 10 Collated results

Menengai Oilers 48*-03 MMUST

KCB Rugby vs Kabras Sugar - Abandoned

Nondescripts Rfc 40*-20 Daystar Falcons

KU BlakBlad vs Impala RFC - Abandoned

Kenya Harlequin FC 27" - 11 Kisumu RFC

Nakuru Rfc 20*-27* Strathmore Leos