KCB, Kabras to renew rivalry in Enterprise Cup final

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will defend their Enterprise Cup rugby title against Kabras Sugar on Saturday.

KCB, who are also the Kenya Cup champions, set the stage for a double and a rematch of the Kenya Cup final when they edged out Homeboyz 11-9 at KCB Ruaraka on Saturday to storm their fourth consecutive Enterprise Cup final.

At Kakamega show grounds, former Kenya 15s and Sevens international Charles Cardiovillis took over as Kabras Sugar head coach in style, winning his first duel against Resolution Impala Saracens 16-15 in the other semi-final.

It’s Uganda international Philip Wokorach, who scored a last minute penalty to spur Kabras Sugar to victory against Resolution Impala, who blew up their 15-6 lead.

Homeboyz fly-half Bernard Kiprotich, who had early scored two penalties from tight angles to bridge the gap at 11-9, missed a crucial centre post penalty in the dying minutes to hand KCB victory. KCB beat Kabras Sugar 36-8 to recapture Kenya Cup title on April 22.

“Our resilience and firm defence in the first half is a mark of a good team. Our execution wasn’t good but after the half time pep talk the boys improved,” said KCB coach Curtis Olago.

The bankers only needed one try from right wing James Kilonzo and fly-half Shabaan Ahmed’s two penalties to keep the dream of winning the Enterprise Cup for the third time in a row alive.

Former Western Bulls fly-half Elvis Asena, had put Homeboyz ahead 3-0 with a penalty as the Deejays camped in the bankers’ half for the better part of the first half. Poor decision making was Homeboyz’s main handicap as their last killer punch proved blunt.

KCB’s first move saw them wade into the Deejay’s 22m stronghold for the first time resulting into a penalty just seconds before the break. Ahmed slotted as both teams went for the drinks at 3-3.

Homeboyz got another penalty but Asena’s curling shot hit the posts before KCB piled on pressure to get theirs which Ahmed stabbed in.

It was then that Asena, who had played for Western Bulls against Homeboyz in the pre-quarterfinals, got injured for Kiprotich to take over. The bankers went loose as Kilonzo finished off several classy phases with a scintillating try at the far end. Ahmed missed the conversion but KCB claimed the lead 8-3.

Kiprotich brought the Deejays back into the game with a penalty but Ahmed romped back with a penalty of his own as the bakers stretched their lead to 11-6 and inched closer to victory.

Daniel Ndombi put Impala ahead 5-0n with a try as Ivan Kiragu scored a penalty to bring Kabras Sugar back into the game 3-5. Impala were handed a penalty try after an infringement by Max Adaka, who was sin-binned. George Okoa converted as Impala led 12-3 at the break.

Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga said poor decision making cost them especially in the first half. “I had new players coming in and that is where we lacked maturity,” said Murunga.