Lifeline for Nakuru in relegation battle after win over Quins

Top Fry Nakuru handed themselves some breathing space in the Kenya Cup relegation battle heading into the final Kenya Cup clash after edging Kenya Harlequin 13-18 in a duel staged at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.

Quins were on a wretched run of form after suffering six straight defeats at the hands of Blakblad, KCB, Kabras Sugar, Strathmore Leos, Menengai Oilers and Homeboyz and are yet to get off the mark in 2022.

Nakuru saw their momentum halted after a deflating 13-8 loss to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology following back to back wins over Nondescripts and Impala.

Reeling from their recent poor run of form, Quins had a dominant start to the game and needed just four minutes to get the opening try of the game when Johnstone Maroe touched down on the left flank after a brilliant interplay from the backline.

Gramuel Bunyesi was having a fine game for Nakuru as he solemned past the Quins players on the right wing, fending off a number of tackles to notch Wanyore's first try of the game but Fredrick Odongo missed the conversion in the 19th minute.

Nakuru had wind in their sails and forged ahead four minutes after the half hour mark when that man again Bunyesi broke loose after an over load and fed Collins Shigoli with the ball as he ran behind the sticks to touch down for a simple conversation to go into the half time break leading 12-5.

Nakuru picked up from where they left from in the first half as they won a penalty inside the 22 meter line with the call being a high tackle with Odongo registering the first penalty of the match to extend their lead to 15-5.

The two teams traded penalties inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half with Quins also keeping the scoreboard ticking with some extra three points through Eden Agero.

With a high number of penalties in the game, both teams opted to take easy points with Nakuru adding another three points off the boot of Odongo in the 56th from a high tackle.

Quins brought themselves back into the tie three minutes after the half hour mark when Cornelius Mokoro juggled the ball to prevent a knock of after being fed by Ivan Chebo to five points.

Despite a spirited effort from Quins, Nakuri won the game 13-18 to hand themselves a lifeline in the relegation battle.