Menengai Oilers heap misery on Nondies as Daystar Falcons stun Quins

Menengai Oilers ended Kenya Cup Week Eight as the biggest winners after hammering Nondescript RFC 41-6 in a one-sided encounter played on Saturday, 21 February at the Ngong Racecourse.

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The Nakuru-based side endured a slow start in the muddy conditions, committing schoolboy errors that threatened to derail their momentum.

However, they regrouped, tightened their defence and turned on the style in the second half, with head coach Gibson Weru’s substitutions proving decisive.

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The clash was preceded by another Kenya Cup fixture that saw Daystar Falcons edge Kenya Harlequin 30-23 in the curtain raiser.

It took barely five minutes for the Oilers to draw first blood, with Daniel Kipchirchir dotting down at the right corner.

Abutwalib Wesonga added the extras to give the visitors a dream start. Moments later, Dennis Abukuse outsmarted his marker to cross over for another try, although the conversion attempt drifted wide.

Nondies responded by camping inside the Oilers’ red zone but were repeatedly denied by a resolute defensive line.

Their only reward in the first half was three points. The game briefly tilted when Abukuse was shown a yellow card, and upon his return, Ibrahim Ayoo also spent time in the sin bin.

Abukuse, however, returned with renewed energy and immediately made amends, crashing over for his second try of the match. Wesonga converted to stretch the advantage heading into the break.

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The second half began on a shaky note for the Oilers, conceding a penalty that Nondies’ fly-half Calvin Sheunda calmly slotted to add three more points for the hosts.

That would prove to be the last meaningful highlight for Nondies as the Oilers took full control thereafter.

Kipchirchir grabbed his second try of the afternoon, though the conversion missed the target. Fly-half Samuel Mwaura then punished another infringement with a well-taken penalty.

Weru’s tactical changes soon paid dividends. Kenya Sevens ace John Okoth was introduced and wasted no time making his presence felt, slicing through to score a try that Wesonga converted.

The impact off the bench continued to tell. Dennis Abukuse made way for Alvin Khavoli, and it was Okoth who turned provider, setting up Khavoli for his first try of the afternoon. Wesonga maintained his accuracy from the tee.

With Oilers relentlessly pinning Nondies in their own half, Khavoli had the final say, striking again to cap off a dominant performance and seal a comprehensive 41-6 victory.

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The result hands the Oilers their eighth win of the campaign and sets up a mouth-watering clash against former champions KCB Rugby next weekend.

Nondies, on the other hand, will travel to Kakamega to face Kabras Sugar RFC on Saturday, 28 February.

Kenya Cup Week Eight Results

• KCB 61-15 MMUST Rugby

• Quins 23-30 Daystar Falcons

• KU Blak Blad 16-26 Kabras

• Strathmore Leos 43-39 Kisumu RFC