•Assistant coach Mark Mshila believes the red card was the turning point in the final
•Skipper George Nyambua said the side stuck to the game plan in a topsy-turvy match against their fierce rivals,
Image: FILE
Kabras coach Carlos Katywa attributed their Enterprise Cup victory over the weekend to his side's mentality and depth.
Kabras overcame KCB 32-20 to win the Enterprise Cup for the fourth year in a row. The Kakamega-based outfit have also won the league three times in a row.
Subsequently, they stretched their unbeaten run to 29 matches to crown off a successful season in the 15s category.
“Credit to the boys. We have had a difficult lead-up to this competition. The players were rusty and we only had one match to play before the final and I am happy we rose to the occasion," added Katywa.
Skipper George Nyambua said the side stuck to the game plan in a topsy-turvy match against their fierce rivals.
"We started well; built momentum and executed our opportunities well from our scrum, lineout and open play. Then defensively, we were able to shut them down in the critical moments,” said Nyambua. The sugar millers outscored the bankers by four tries to two in an entertaining match.
Kabras turned the game after KCB flyhalf Elvis Namusasi was sent off for a dangerous tackle on fullback Eric Cantona just before the interval — leaving the side to play with 14 for the second half.
KCB assistant coach Mark Mshila believes the red card was the turning point in the final. “The red card changed everything in their favour and put us in a tricky situation. However, the boys fought valiantly,” noted Mshila
The league champions got off to a flying start when winger Humphery Asiligwa touched down with Ntabeni Dukisa adding a conversion for a 7-0 lead. Namusasi reduced the deficit with a well-taken penalty to trail 7-3.
Dukisa extended Kabras' lead to 10-3 through a penalty with Namusassi adding another penalty (10-6). Dukisa closed out the half with a penalty as they led 13-6.
On resumption, Kabras came out firing on all cylinders with Dukisa scoring and converting his try for a 20-6 lead.
Curtis Olago's charges regrouped and got their first five-pointer courtesy of Shaban Ahmed with Festus Shiasi converting to bring the Bankers within seven points. Dukisa then fed James Olela to touch down for an unconverted try and a 25-13 lead.
Kenya Under-20 Michael Wamalwa gave the bankers a glimmer of hope with Levi Amunga converting for a 25-20 score.
Hooker Eugene Sifuna then put the icing on the cake with a final try with Dukisa converting.