KCB, Homeboyz face off in top-of-table clash as Kabras welcome Quins

Nelson Sangura of Homeboyz (left) charges past an Impala Saracens player during their Kenya Cup match played at Jamhuri grounds on December 9, 2017. Homeboyz won 31-29. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |

What you need to know:

  • Third-placed Kabras Sugar host fourth-placed Kenya Harlequins at the Kakamega Showground in another thrilling contest.
  • Fifth placed Impala Saracens host newcomers Kisii, placed 10 on the log, in a match set for the Impala Club.

The 2017/18 Kenya Cup Rugby League resumes Saturday after a three-week break with a top-of-the-table clash pitting champions KCB and Homeboyz at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

Third-placed Kabras Sugar host fourth-placed Kenya Harlequins at the Kakamega Showground in another thrilling contest.

Fifth placed Impala Saracens host newcomers Kisii, placed 10 on the log, in a match set for the Impala Club.

Sixth-placed Blak Blad will be looking to sustain the momentum behind their decent run of form when they play away at the Nakuru Athletic Club against eighth placed Top Fry Nakuru.

Mwamba, currently placed 11th on the table, have the opportunity to register their first win of the season when they welcome bottom-placed Mombasa, while Nondescripts host the Strathmore Leos at the Jamhuri Park.

Both KCB and Homeboyz are on 20 points winning their opening four matches with bonus points making it today’s encounter a juicy prospective.

KCB, however, lead due to a superior points difference.

Last season’s meeting between these two sides at the Den saw Homeboyz win 33-24 and finish top in the standings before losing to Kabras in the semis. Kabras would lose to KCB in the final.

KCB coach Curtis Olago has made only one change from the side that beat Nakuru in their last match. Martin Owila drops to the bench to be replaced by Nick Ongeri.

“There is little to choose between the sides because of the impressive starts to the campaign and fans should be in for a top tie,” Olago said.

Brian Nyikuli will start from the bench meaning Davies Chenge takes up the blindside and Peter Waitere the openside. Waitere started at eight in Nakuru, but Kenya Sevens former captain Andrew Amonde is available to start.

Amonde has been out of action since Christie 7s and his return is also a boost to the Kenya Sevens who head to Sydney Sevens later this month.

In Kakamega, Kabras Sugar assistant coach Anthony Ogot is hoping that their mid-season signings will have an impact for the remainder of the campaign.

“The mood in the training camp is charged. All players are psyched for the match. Such situation among players is common here,” he warned.

FIXTURES

Kabras Sugar  v Harlequin (Kakamega Showground)

Mwamba v Mombasa (Railway Club)

Impala Saracens v Kisii (Impala Club)

Nakuru v Blak Blad (Nakuru Athletic Club)

Nondescripts v Strathmore Leos (Jamhuri Park

KCB v Homeboyz (KCB Sports Club)