T. NashipaeKenya Cup: Big boys Kabras and KCB start campaign on a high
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 02.12.23. | 21:51
There were big wins for defending champions Kabras Sugar, KCB, Kenya Harlequin and Menengai Oilers as the 2023/24 Kenya Cup season kicked off on Saturday 2 December 2023
Kenya Cup defending champions Kabras RFC handed former Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship side Kisumu RFC a rude welcome to the top tier league after whitewashing them 72-10 in the 2023/24 Kenya Cup opener match played at the ASK Kakamega Showground on Saturday.
The Millers were enjoying home advantage, in addition to being the defending champions. Kisumu RFC on the other hand were looking to impress, despite losing the services of tactician Lawi Buyachi who joined Menengai Oilers technical bench. They were under the guidance of Fabian Olando.
Derrick Ashiundu made a remarkable comeback to 15s action after scoring four out of 12 tries to lead the Sugarmen to the triumph.
He was making his first appearance for the 15s side since the 2021/22 Kenya Cup final victory over Menengai Oilers. Ashiundu was sidelined the whole of 2022/23 due to an ankle injury.
Kabras RFC added more five-pointers through hooker Teddy Akala, Ntabeni Dukisa, youngster Matthias Osimbo, speedster Dan Angwech, and George Nyambua. Jone Kubu was sure with the conversions.
Kisumu RFC on the other hand scored through Aggrey Kitoi with Washington Ochieng adding the extras. They managed one more penalty to see the scores at 72-10 before the sound of the final.
KCB edge Nondies
In another Kenya Cup match, KCB Rugby picked up from where they left off during the 2023 Impala Floodlights final where they narrowly defeated Nondies RFC 25-23 to win the 10th-record Impala Floodlights title.
This time, they came prepared for the tough Nondies, to hand them a 45-8 defeat.
At the same time, 2021/22 Kenya Cup finalists Menengai Oilers fried Homeboyz RFC 43-13 in the match played at the Nakuru Showground while Blak Blad proved 24-16 superior over Mwamba RFC.
Kenya Harlequins were off to flying starts, humbling Catholic Monks 48-8.
Kenya Cup Week 1 Collated Results
Menengai Oilers 43-13 Homeboyz RFC
Blak Blad 24-16 Mwamba RFC
Strathmore Leos 27-24 Nakuru RFC
Kenya Harlequins 48-8 Catholic Monks
KCB Rugby 45-8 Nondies RFC
Kabras RFC 72-10 Kisumu RFC
