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Oilers make Kabras sweat for Rai Derby victory as KCB whitewash Impala
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 01.03.25. | 19:39
At the KCB Sports Club, the Bankers sealed their 10-match winning streak after heaping misery on a hapless Impala RFC 63-9
Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad edged Strathmore Leos 39-31 in a closely contested Varisty Derby played on Saturday 1 March, at the Blad Bin.
The dramatic match attracted hundreds of fans, and at one point, the assistant referee, Frank Abdulaziz, was injured.
The match began with both teams displaying early intent, crossing the whitewash in the opening half.
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Strathmore Leos were first to score through fast-rising star Victor Mola, with Arnold Muita successfully adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
However, Blad quickly responded through Benjamin Ruger, though Daniel Oyoo’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the scores at 7-5.
Elvis Otete extended Strathmore’s lead to 10-5 with a well-worked try before Oyoo slotted in the extras to make it 12-5.
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Handling errors plagued both teams, leading to frequent scrums. Strathmore’s Mathew Mogaya crossed over, but the conversion went wide, leveling the scores at 12-12.
A penalty for offside saw Strathmore take the lead again, with Stephen Osumba slotting in a three-pointer to make it 15-12.
Blak Blad, however, had the final say in the half, as Rugar bagged his brace, though the conversion was missed, giving the hosts a 17-15 advantage at halftime.
Strathmore started the second half with a penalty conversion from Muita, narrowing the gap to 18-17.
However, their momentum was briefly halted when Muita was sent to the sin bin, leaving Leos with 14 men.
Blak Blad capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Steve Biko scoring in the 48th minute, followed by a successful conversion from Oyoo to extend the lead to 24-18.
A penalty error from Strathmore saw Blak Blad push forward once again, bullying the Leos’ defense for another try, though the conversion was unsuccessful, maintaining a 24-18 scoreline. Another infringement allowed Osumba to slot in a penalty, cutting Blad’s lead to 24-21.
Blak Blad further extended their lead with another penalty from Oyoo, making it 27-21. The game’s momentum shifted dramatically when KC Nyamiro executed a clever dummy off a try-line drop kick, touching down at the center for a converted try, stretching the score to 34-21.
Immediately after the restart, Blak Blad capitalized on quick passing, with Elvis Otete diving over on the left wing. The conversion attempt went wide, but Blad still held a commanding 39-21 lead.
Strathmore refused to back down, responding with a try from Dennis Mbila, though the conversion failed, making it 39-26. Leos continued their late resurgence as Gabriel Ayimba dashed past defenders to touch down, narrowing the gap to 39-31 after Osumba’s missed conversion.
Leos suffered another setback as they were reduced to 14 men following a dangerous tackle in the air. Despite their spirited fightback, they fell short, with Blak Blad holding on for the win.
Meanwhile, Mwamba RFC are closer to relegation after suffering a 32-27 defeat to Nakuru RFC.
Over at the RFUEA Grounds, Kenya Harlequin maintained their fine form after defeating Kisumu RFC 36-22.
At the KCB Sports Club, the Bankers sealed their 10-match winning streak after heaping misery on a hapless Impala RFC 63-9.
Menengai Oilers made reigning Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar RFC sweat but ended up losing the encounter 14-20, handing Gibson Weru's men back-to-back defeats.
The relegation-threatened South Coast Pirates suffered a defeat at the hands of Nondies RFC after a 50-29 result. Despite the loss, the Pirates picked a losing bonus point in the city.
