It's Resolution time! After two exciting weekends it all comes down to Saturday's Resolution Health Impala Floodlit 2010 Decider between hosts and defending champions Resolution Impala RFC and the Kenya Commercial Bank Lions.
No one can argue that these two sides don't deserve to be in the Final as they have been the form teams in the run up to the title clash. Resolution Impala walking all over USIU with an 80-3 victory in their quarter final clash before keeping their composure,stealing a 27-21 win over a battling Mean Machine RFC.The Lions haven't really been tested at the 2010 Floodies. They easily beat Mwamba RFC 42-3 in their quarter final clash before registering a routine 27-5 semi final win over Nakuru RFC.When these two sides step on to the Impala Club turf at 7.30pm on Saturday 6th February 2010, it will be a case of history repeating itself. They met in last year's final, Resolution Impala running off with a 31-14 victory...and the title of course.It will also be remembered that KCB beat Impala in the 2005 final,claiming their first ever Floodie title. This makes it a final worth watching.
Having beefed up the 2009 title winning squad, Resolution Impala will be feeling confident about their chances of back to back success. Last week they allowed Mean Machine to twice hold a one point lead before reigning on the Eschuma Absolut of Meam Machine,going on to win by six points in their semi final showdown. KCB overcame two of their bogey sides in the run up to the final and they too will take some confidence into the decider.
What will work for Resolution Impala? They'll be playing in front of a sell out home crowd again. They have a competent forward pack that blends youth in the form of Joel Omer and experience in Paul Oimbo,Frankie Ndong' and co. There is speed to burn out wide with Joshua Gathumbi, Victor Sudi,Vincent Mose and Kevin Gisore definitely being called upon to score tries and take the game to their opponents .
The Lions from KCB will most definitely rely on their forwards who include Edwin Alubaka,Dennis Mwanja, Ronny Mwenesi, Ken Isindu and co to gain dominance up front and then hope that flyhalf Jotham Yahuma can spark the backline like he has done in recent weeks. Scrum half Peter Mutai will also need to have his kicking boots on as the Impala kickers Mike Mugo and Moses Kola have been in great form.Kola's twelve points from three conversions and two penalties last week were what, in my opinion really sunk Machine. The Lions' have strike weapons out wide like Kingsley Litali and Calvins Biko. They have gelled well with former Kakamega High School captain Fabian Olando now playing at centre.
These two teams have had some close battles over the years and I expect thefFinal to be another interesting affair. Interesting because anything could happen...it could be closely contested..it could be one sided..you never know...
PS
There will be a mini battle when this match finally kicks off. The battle of the scrum halves. Impala RFC have the choice of selecting Mike Mugo, who has been called up to the Kenya XV or Moses Kola, a former Kenya XV international. Whoever they choose will duel with KCB's Peter Mutai, a current Kenya XV international. All the more reason to watch this match as the scrum halves will be pivotal in determing the outcome of the game.
The match is Live and Exclusive only at the Impala Club at 7.30 pm Saturday evening.
Curtain Raisers
Clubs Third Place Playoff
Mean Machine play Nakuru RFC from 6.00pm in the third place play off match.
Schools Final
Kick off 4.30pm
Mang'u High School start as favorites when they face Moi Forces Academy who are making their maiden appearance in the final. Mang'u start as favorites because of their previous experience playing at the business end of such a tournament. They have had it easy enroute to the final. They beat Kiambu High School 37-3 in the quarters before knocking out Nairobi School 17-3 in the semis.
Moi Forces Academy, the tournament's surprise team have already outdone themselve, first by stunning Lenana School 26-5 in the quarters before prescribing the same dose to Alliance High School courtesy of that 5-0 semi final win. Can they make it three upsets in a a row?
This match will be preceded by the schools' third place playoff between Nairobi School and Alliance from 2.45pm.
See you at the Impala Club on "Resolution Day" Saturday 6th February 2010.
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