Impala book date with KCB for the third year in Floodlit fi nal

KCB Andrew Amonde in action against Kabras John Kubu
KCB Andrew Amonde in action against Kabras John Kubu

Holders Impala will meet KCB for the third year running in the Impala Floodlit final after winning their respective semifinal matches on Saturday.

The champions beat a rugged Mean Machine 20–10 in the first semi as the KCB edged Homeboyz 18-16 in a nail-biting clash played in wet conditions.

Mohammed Omollo gave the Deejays an early lead with a penalty for a 3-0 lead. KCB re-grouped and dominated territory and were rewarded when Elphas Otieno touched down with twin brother, Essau missing the conversion for a 5-3 lead.

KCB were dominant and scored a second try courtesy of Brian Omondi, with Otieno converting for a 12-3 lead.

Homeboyz settled and dominated possession for the reminder of the half and burly number 8 Steve Otieno touched down with Omollo adding the conversion to trail the bankers 10-12 at the interval.

On resumption, the two side traded penalties with Kelvin Masai and Otieno scoring for 15-13 lead in favour of the bankers. Masai added another penalty to give the Deejays a 16-15 lead. Ken Moseti then kicked over a drop goal after sustained pressure to give the bankers a 18-16 lead. Homeboyz had one chance to sneak into the final but Omolo missed a last minute penalty that would have given them the win.

Hosts Impala were made to fight all the way by a gallant Machine outfit in the first semifinal. The hosts took a while to settle before scoring their opening try courtesy of Quinto Ongo, who converted it for a 7-0 lead. Eric Muthama reduced the deficit with a penalty just before the interval for 7-3 lead at the break

On resumption, Ongo added a penalty for Impala to lead 10-3. Machine then scored a try through Valentine Odoyo with Muthama converting to tie the match at 10-10. Impala were then awarded a penalty try after relentless pressure on the Machine try-line for a 17-10 lead. Mark Kwemoi then closed out the scoring for the champions with a late penalty.