Kabras pick sweet win at Quins backyard

Ugandan fullback Phillip Wokorach touched down a brace of tries as Kabras Sugar deployed a fine defence to beat Kenya Harlequin 21-3 in a Kenya Cup rugby league match at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday.

Quins will rue poor decision making as they squandered myriad try-scoring opportunities despite having destabilised Kabras Sugar's set pieces especially their lineouts.

It was the first match Kabras Sugar failed to chalk a bonus point victory with Quins also failing to score a try.

“Today we were trying our new3 defensive pattern and it has proved that we can keep the score low,” said Kabras Sugar coach Henley Du Plessis. “Every game is touch but today was our toughest.”

Du Plessis said it’s the game they much needed to test their systems before playing Homeboyz next followed by KCB.

“We needed the game to show the guys that we are not there yet. We need to focus since everybody is coming out for us,” warned Du Plessis, who has promised to work on his lineouts. “We didn’t get the balls from the lineout and set pieces but again you can't rush the defence against Quins lethal runners.”

Open side flanker international George Nyambua scored Kabras Sugar's other try.

Quins were the first on the score board with fullback Lyle Asiligwa's penalty in the fourth minute but Wokorach converted his try, scored against the run of play in the 25th minute, to give Kabras Sugar a 7-3 lead.

Winger William Ambaka had knocked-on to waste a scoring opportunity after being put through by Frank Wanyama.

Quins had literary camped in Kabras Sugar's half but skipper Max Adaka would initiate a pulsating attack to build on some phases. Scrumhalf Brian Tanga would inject the ball out of the maul to find Wokorach, who side-stepped Quins defence to score beside the posts.

Kabras would again turn on the screws with South African fly-half Logan Basson, who was brilliant with his kicking to wade off Quins attacks, putting through winger Kevin Keegan.

The former Quins player then swung the ball to Nyambua to score. Wokorach converted for Kabras to lead 14-3 at the break.

The second half proved a real defensive test for Kabras against the unrelenting Quins attacks. Quins had several penalties but all was in vain. Then Keegan would claim a turnover before breaking but still kept possession from a tackle. Basson fished the ball out to put Wokorach through at the middle for his second try.

The victory saw Kabras Sugar not only uphold their unbeaten run but also their Kenya Cup lead with 44 points.

Kenya Commercial Bank, who crashed Strathmore 53-8 in Madaraka, remain second with 40 points while Quins also stayed at third with 31 points despite the loss.

Nondies stunned Nakuru 33-32 in Nakuru but maintained fourth spot with an improved tally of 28 points.

RESULTS

Mwamba 26 - 13 Blakblad

Quins 3 – 21 Kabras

Strathmore 8 – 53 KCB

Oilers 22 -24 Impala

Nakuru 32 – 33 Nondies

Mean Machine 13 – 22 Homeboyz