The Lions have bounced back from last weekend's 17-52 mauling at the hands of the SDV Transami Cheetahs with a hard fought 20-12 win over the Nguvu Sharks in a tight encounter played at a slippery RFUEA Grounds.
The intermittent showers on Ngong Road made this already difficult fixture even harder as both sides had to grapple with the tricky playing conditions. This led to a tentative start, each side tentative in their opening exchanges. The Lions opened the scoring when winger Fabian Olando scored his second try of the tournament, catching his own raised ball before grounding it out wide. Scrum half Peter Mutai's conversion made it 7-0.
The Sharks were spurred into life after conceding this try,coming out of their shell as they took the game to the Lions. Their pressure force the Lions into an infringement that saw the cats being penalized twenty five meters from their try line. Sharks fly half Kenny Andola slotted home the penalty,cutting the deficit to 7-3.
The resultant kickoff saw the Lions back on the prowl but they had to contend with resolute defense from the varsity lads. Their pressure finally paid off when fly half Jotham Yahuma sliced through a static Sharks defense, grounding the ball close to the posts. Mutai's conversion made it 14-3.
The Sharks started inching back into the game, gradually growing in confidence as they saw more of the ball. They again forced the Lions into errors, winning a penalty that Andola slotted home for a 14-6 score. The scores would stay this way heading into half time.
A slight downpour signaled the start of the second half. The Sharks quick off the blocks, picking up where they had left off heading into the interval. Second half replacement Fidel Sinei, on for Andola slotted home a penalty that cut the Lions lead to five points. 14-9 with plenty of time left on the clock…with the Sharks threatening a comeback,there was a game to be played…
Another Sinei penalty brought the Sharks to within two points of the Lions with the scores at 14-12. This prompted Okwemba's charges into action, pumping more gas as they took charge of the game. Another Mutai penalty gave the Lions some breathing space with the scores at 17-12.
The triple inclusion of backrow man Rogers Lai, scrum half Collins Kimani and utility back Calvins Biko for Ken Isindu, Mutai and Edgar Abere respectively added impetus to what had been a floundering Lions. They pressured the Sharks, forcing them into more errors, Yahuma crowned his man of the match performance with a penalty that gave the Lions a 20-12 lead, a lead that they would keep right up to the final whistle.
Mumias Sugar Buffaloes v Kampala Coach Victoria
Visiting Kampala Coach Victoria led 19-3 at half time before running off with a 26-3 win over home side Mumias Sugar Buffaloes. Victoria's second successive win saw them book a semi final berth with a game to spare. Victoria scored four tries through Steve Ogwete, Gamma Faisal and Timothy Ddumba who helped himself to a brace. Buffaloes Kevin Keegan scored a penalty for his side's only points.
Line Ups:
Nguvu Sharks
15 Biko Adema,14 Felix Ayange, 13 Nick Barasa, 12, Wilson Kopondo (captain)(22 Joshua Gathumbi), 11,Mike Wanjala,10 Kenny Andola(20 Fidel Sinei), 9 Felix Wanjala, 8 Duncan Ekasi,7, Louis Kisia(18 Cedric Odero) 6 Joel Omer, 5 George Odipo,4 Davis Makori, 3 Dennis Karani(17 Chrispin Kinini), 2 Edwin Ombogo, 1 :Francis Akatu(16 Eric Kioko)Reserves, 16 Eric Kioko, 17 Chrispin Kinini, 18 Cedric Odero, 19 Brian Okwomi, 20 Fidel Sinei, 21 Anthony Nyandigisi, 22 Josh Gathumbi
Coach: Mitch Ocholla
Lions
15 Matthew Musita,14 Fabian Olando, 13 Jared Ombachi, 12, Brian Omondi, 11 Edgar Abere (21 Calvins Biko) ,10 Jotham Yahuma, 9 Peter Mutai (22 Collins Kimani), 8 Ken Isindu(17 Rogers Lai)7 Philip Wamae(19 Anthony Ochino) 6 Anthony Ogot, 5 Ronnie Mwenesi,4 Edwin Machanje, 3 Moses Amusala, 2 Curtis Lilako(16 Curtis Olago), 1 :Ediwn Alubaka
Reserves, 16 Curtis Olago 17 Rogers Lai, 18 Ayub Ongoro, 19 Anthony Ochino, 20 Kevin Wambua, 21 Anthony Calvins Biko, 22 Collins Kimani
Coach: Howard Okwemba
Rwenzori v UAP Rhinos
Over in Kampala, defending champions UAP Rhinos rallied from 16-22 at half time to beat home side Rwenzori 23-22, booking a semi final berth.
Bank M Twigas v SDV Transami Cheetahs
Visiting SDV Transami Cheetahs booked their semi final berth after beating home side Bank M Twigas 57-0 after leading 16-0. Innocent "Namcos"Simiyu opening the scoring with two penalties on 12 and 33 minutes before Kelvin Omiyo and Namcos scored unconverted tries on 37 and 39 minutes for the 16-0 half time score.
Mike Mugo opened second half procedings with a 49th minute try. Paul Oimbo added to Bank M Twigas' misery with a 50th minute try before Lawi Buyachi's 56th minute try took the scores to 31-0. Mugo's conversion saw the Cheetahs command a healthy 33-0 lead. Mugo would then convert a Bobby Oyugi on 58 minutes that took the score to 40-0. Two more unconverted tries from Namcos and Brian Nyikuli and a Nato Simiyu conversion had the Twigas on the ropes. Namcos crowned his man of the match performance with a 78th minute unconverted try. Final Score Bank M Twigas 0 SDV Transami Cheetahs 57.
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Michael Kwambo
Tournament Media Manager
Bamburi Rugby Super Series 2010
"the future of fifteens rugby"
+254 722 757 299
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