KCB floor Kabras Sugar to retain Enterprise Cup

KCB players celebrate with the trophy after edging out Kabras Sugar in the Enterprise Cup final match on May 27, 2017 at RFUEA ground. KCB won 27-23 to retain the title for the third successive season. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The two sides also met in last year’s Enterprise Cup final where the bankers won 24-12 to retain the title.
  • KCB’s last loss in the Enterprise Cup came in 2014 when they lost to Nakuru in the final.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) completed their season double after rallying from behind to beat Kabras Sugar 27-23 to retain the Enterprise Cup title at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday.

The bankers, who found themselves 10-3 behind in the early exchanges, turned the tables on the sugar millers to win the title for the third consecutive year. It was also KCB’s sixth title after their previous successes in 2004, 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2016.

Tries from flanker and Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde, left wing Collins Wanjala, skipper Curtis Lilako and Nick Ongeri spurred the bankers to the victory.

Scrum-half Marlin Mukolwe made one conversion and a try to seal the victory for KCB who also beat the Kabras 36-8 a month ago to reclaim the Kenya Cup title.

Full-back Philip Wokorach and fly-half John Kubu scored a try each for Kabras. Wokorach converted both tries and three penalties but all was in vain for Charles Cardiovillis charges.

KCB's Andrew Amonde (second right) takes on Kabras Sugar's Philip Warokach during the Enterprise Cup final match on May 27, 2017 at RFUEA ground. KCB won 27-23. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The two sides also met in last year’s Enterprise Cup final where the bankers won 24-12 to retain the title.

KCB’s last loss in the Enterprise Cup came in 2014 when they lost to Nakuru in the final.

It was the second time KCB claimed a double in the season after they won both prestigious trophies in 2015.

Lilako attributed their domination this season to a good off season training, the depth in the team and self-belief. “Our endearing support from the Lions fans gave us the much needed push and support this season and we are indebted to them,” said Lilako.

Lilako said they will take a break before turning focus on the Sevens season. “We hope to come back much stronger next season and defend our two titles,” said Lilako.

KCB's Elphas Otieno (left) is tackled by Kabras Sugar's Sully Tuvodo during the Enterprise Cup final match on May 27, 2017 at RFUEA ground. KCB won 27-23. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

KCB coach Curtis Olago said they had to rebuild after they failed to defend their Kenya Cup title in 2016, losing to Kabras.

“It has been a good season for us and it’s all about hard work and dedication the players have had in training,” said Olago, adding that they they didn’t have the depth to retain Kenya Cup last year. “We had brought in some Eric Shirley players who took time to acclimatise and more so we had many injuries.”

Olago singled out Peter Waitere, Rocky Aguko and Francis Muita as some of the players from ESS, who impressed after getting promoted to the first team.

KCB's Rocky Aguko (centre) escapes tackles from Kabras Sugar's Hillary Odhiambo during the Enterprise Cup final match on May 27, 2017 at RFUEA ground. KCB won 27-23. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Olago and Lilako said their resilience and good defence spurred them against Kabras Sugar. “We knew they will come up with a different structure with their new coach and that is exactly what happened,” said Lilako. “We had to step up our defence.”

Charles Cardovillis, who was on his second assignment as head coach at Kabras Sugar, said the team that made most mistakes lost but he was happy about the improvement.

“We were let down by poor kick-off receptions but I hope to add more structure and get them to play to a system as time goes,” said Cardovillis. "I want them to play in phases and embrace a philosophy of flowing rugby.”

Scrum-half Justin Chirabu converted Wokorach's try before slotting over a penalty as Kabras took a 10-0 lead. Kabras Sugar's lock Hillary Odhiambo would be sin-binned for an infringement as the bankers cashed in on their numerical advantage to land a try through Amonde as Mukolwe converted to tie the duel at 10-10.

Part of the action during the Enterprise Cup final match between KCB and Kabras Sugar at RFUEA Ground on May 27, 2017. PHOTO | KCB RUGBY |

Kabras reclaimed the lead through Wokorach's penalty but a well worked try by Wanjala gave the bankers the lead 15-13 after Mukolwe failed with the extra. Wokorach's penalty gave the sugar millers the 16-15 half time lead.

Lack of communication at the bankers defence saw Kubu pounce in with the kick before chasing to ground the ball. Wokorach added the extras to stretch their lead 23-15. Lilako's try and Ongeri's penalty try wrapped up for KCB as Wokorach squandered two penalties.