KU's Blak Blad get bragging rights after stunning victory over Strathmore Leos

Kenyatta University's Blak Blad RFC caused the first massive upset of the returning Impala Floodlit tournament as they stunned Strathmore Leos 22-19 in the first quarter final match of the four games lined up at Impala Grounds.

Trailing 7-13 at the halftime interval, Blad put up a spirited fight in the second half as they came from behind to secure the bragging rights in the varsity derby against a side that finished among the top four in the Kenya Cup last season, consequently booking their place in the semifinals next weekend.

"I think our boys turned up for the match today especially in the second half where we just kept on sticking to our game which eventually paid off because we took our chances unlike the first half. For us, this win against a side like a Strathmore is a reflection of the work we have been doing in preseason and all credit goes to the team," Blad stand in coach Marlin Mukolwe remarked after the game.

"During the half time break, we talked about clinicality but my boys did not stick to that. KU got three penalties in our zone which they utilized and eventually got the win. We can now just use this as al earning curve as we head into the Kenya Cup season," Leos head coach Louis Kisia noted.

It was a game that took a while to get going but finally found the breakthrough when Leos took a 0-3 lead after successfully converting a penalty.

Blad quickly wiped that lead as they found the game's opening try that was successfully converted for a 7-3 lead.

Pegged back by the try that came against the run of play, Leos went into second gear as they scored ten points off a converted try and a penalty to head into the break leading 7-13.

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Having failed to take their chances in the first half, Blak Blad came out of the second a much more composed side and immediately reduced the deficit to a point as they scored their second try of the game which was not converted.

Leos however opened the gap to seven points after another two successful penalty conversions brought the scores to 19-12.

A calm Blad managed to restore parity through a converted try before a penalty sealed the 22-19 win that saw them become the first side to book their place in the semifinals.