Kabras, KCB march on in title race

Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga (left) with his assistant Simon Odongo during a past match. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Competition shaping up into a two-horse race.
  • Table-topping bankers hit Quins for seventh straight win as sugar millers floor Impala to keep pace.

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) stayed on course for a sixth title at the weekend, cruising to their seventh consecutive victory to stay at the top of Kenya Cup rugby league standings with 34 points.

The 2016 champions Kabras Sugar, who are determined to clinch their second Kenya Cup diadem, also remained unbeaten in the seventh round of matches played on Saturday, beating Impala Saracens 33-17 at Impala Sports Club in Nairobi.

The red-hot KCB roared past Kenya Harlequin 43-17 at Ruaraka to make their intentions obvious with four round of matches remaining before the top six play-offs.

Kabras Sugar are placed second in the league, just a point adrift of leaders KCB and all indicators point to the two teams being the favourites to clinch the two automatic places to the semi-finals.

While that could see the two teams avoid the top six play-offs, Homeboyz, popularly known as ‘Deejays’ are also positioned to cause surprises as they are breathing down the neck of Kabras Sugar.

The ‘Deejays’ humbled Mwamba 29-14 to stay third in the log with 29 points with Impala coming in fourth with 24 points followed by Quins on 18.

Homeboyz will be travelling to Kakamega on Saturday for a showdown with Kabras Sugar in a repeat of last year’s semi-final match which the sugar millers won 22-17 at Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi.

Victory for Homeboyz, who topped last year’s league in the regular season, could see Kabras drop to third place in the league, but the Deejays must win by a bonus point. The Kakamega battle is bound to be intense and physical, what with both sides enjoying heavy packs.

KCB have a considerable easy outing against bottom-placed Nondescripts at their Ruaraka Sports Club den on Saturday.

Perhaps the much-awaited battle this weekend will be between Kabras Sugar and KCB in the penultimate round of the league matches on February 24 at Ruaraka.

“It’s our intention to finish the regular league unbeaten and this is a good test of character for my boys,” said Kabras Sugar coach Charles Cardovillis. “Our set-pieces were solid against Impala as we also tried the change with a free-flowing display.”

Homeboyz coach Paul Murunga said that they were able to gauge their weak points in their 26-6 defeat by KCB in round five matches.

“Our focus is still on the higher side than just playing in the regular league. It will matter a lot when it comes to play-off,” said Murunga. “Kabras test will again be a good one to gauge ourselves before the play-offs.”

Kabras were a joy to watch as they dominated against the Sarries with their skipper Max Adaka marshalling his troops well with three of their five tries coming off the mauls. Former Quins kicker Kevin Keegan proved a jewel with the boot for territorial dominance.