Quins return to winning ways

Reigning Kenya Cup champions Kenya Harlequin FC returning to winning ways, showing great strength of character as they recovered from  0-7, 10-14 and 15-21 deficits to edge league leaders Mwamba RFC 22-21 in a thrilling game of rugby at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday 21 January 2012

It was Mwamba who threw down the gauntlet, taking the game to Quins from kick off. Their early pressure had the champions on the backfoot but they could not translate this into points. With the Quins getting into their stride, Mwamba prop forward Francis Akatu gathered a loose ball, cantering to the try line with Tito Oduk converting to put the black shirts 7-0 up.

Quins response was swift, their backs capitalizing on an error in the Mwamba midfield, setting up winger Kevin Keegan who grounded the ball for an unconverted try, cutting the deficit to two points as the score board read 7-5 .

The match would remain a delicately balanced affair, both sides prodding each other like prize fighters. A Quins infringement in their half accorded Mwamba an opportunity to kick for goal from the ensuing penalty but Collins Injera's goal attempt sailed low and short of the posts. Quins skipper Victor Sudi would soon miss a straight forward goal attempt after Mwamba conceded a penalty deep in their half.

Injera would soon threaten Quins, hitting the space and leaving four defenders in his wake. The resultant maul saw Humphrey Kayange held up on the Quins try line.

With Quins now in possession, the game's momentum shifted, as the home side ate into Mwamba territory. They would win a line out on the Mwamba five yard, scoring an unconverted try from the resultant maul, taking the lead for the first time in this match, the score board reading 10-7 in their favor. They would continue pressing Mwamba, fly half Eden Agero booting the ball into touch from a penalty after another Mwamba infringement. They win the line out, maul and attack but their backs spilled the ball on the third phase with the try line not too far out.

Mwamba's Injera would also spill the ball with the try line beckoning, this after Kevin Wambua had played him in.

Referee Collin Stanley would sound the half time whistle, Quins leading 10-7 heading into the breather.

After a few tentative exchanges upon resumption, Mwamba fly half Chris Asego would play in Kayange beat one defender before running fourty or so meters to touch down in the corner. Injera's conversion from a seemingly impossible angle saw Mwamba retake the lead, 14-10. There was plenty more action still in store.

Quins stayed in this game, their patient play again gaining them critical ground, setting up attack platforms. They would soon go ahead, touching down from a rolling maul. Dennis Muhanji's conversion attempt seemed to be sailing through, only to bounce off the posts as Quins lead 15-14.

Another Kayange try and Oduk conversion saw Mwamba go 21-15 up but the home side kept chugging at their visitors, remaining competitive and most critically asserting their dominance. Their pressure paid off when Muhanji had the presence of mind to chase a kicked ball, gathering it after the Mwamba backs spilled it and racing clear to ground the ball, narrowing the deficit to 21-20. His conversion put Quins 22-21 ahead.

Quins would go in pursuit of more points,camping in their opponents half. With the clock winding down, a final Mwamba foray could not change the outcome of this match and when Stanley blew the whistle signaling full time, Quins were left celebrating the win, Mwamba ruing the narrow defeat.

Muhanji was later awarded the Tusker Sports Man of the Match trophy by KRU Vice Chairman Fred Odhiambo.

Despite the loss, Mwamba stayed top of the table.

In other matches, Strathmore Leos rallied from 3-17 to lead 20-17 at the interval before defeating Kisumu RFC 44-24 in Kisumu, Nondies registered a second win on the trot, beating Homeboyz 29-17 at the Jamhuri Park, Mean Machine survived a late Nakuru rally at the UoN Grounds, seeing their 23-3 lead cut to 23-20 at full time while Kenya Commercial Bank RFC and Impala RFC played out a 15-15 draw at the Lions Den.

Collated Results – Saturday 21st January 2012

Kenya Cup

Quins 22 Mwamba 21
Kisumu 24 Strathmore 44
KCB 15 Impala 15
Homeboyz 17 Nondies 29
Machine 23 Nakuru 20

Eric Shirley Shield

Western Bulls 19 Strathmore II 8
Homeboyz II 0 Nondies II 26
Machine II 12 Nakuru II 13
Quins II 15 Mwamba II 5
KCB II 20 Mwamba II 10