KCB assistant coach Dennis Mwanja hailed his side's mentality as they romped to the Enterprise Cup final with a hard-fought win against Impala on Saturday.
The bankers, who were without 12 senior players — who are with the Simbas as they embark on the Currie Cup — had to dig deep, winning 20-18 in a topsy-turvy encounter.
"This was a tough match. We really had to step up but credit to the experience we have in the team, which eventually got us over the line,” said Mwanja.
He, however, said there is room for improvement ahead of the final showdown against Kabras on Saturday.
"We will go back to the drawing board this week as we look to improve on some facets of our play ahead of the final,” revealed Mwanja.
The bankers won a three-peat of Enterprise Cup titles between 2015-2017 and Mwanja said a win will be a satisfactory conclusion to the end of the 15s calendar after missing out on the Kenya Cup.
"We want to win it (Cup). It's been five years and we know we face a formidable opponent in the final. We will have to be well prepared," he said.
Try scorers for KCB were eight-man Peter Waitere and Elphas Adunga with Smith Muhoya adding two penalties as Shanan Ahmed kicking over two conversions. Both teams were tied 6-6 at halftime.
Impala responded with tries from Billy Arigi and Paul Mutsami with Quinto Ongo adding two penalties and a conversion.
In Kakamega holders, Kabras overcame a slow start to beat Homeboyz 37-11. Habil Malik, Edwin Oyoo, William Opaka, and Geoffrey Messo scored a try each with South African import Ntabeni Dukisa adding three penalties and three conversions.
The Deejays replied through a Keith Wasike try with Brian Ayimba and Brian Juma slotting home penalties. Kabras led 9-3 at the interval
Coach Jerome Muller hailed his young charges, saying: "Credit to the young team for rising to the occasion. We know the match against KCB will be a tough battle so we will prepare well."
The Mwamba Cup final will be between Strathmore Leos II and Nakuru II.
