This season’s installment of Kenya’s oldest rugby competition, the Enterprise Cup, which was first played in 1930,enters its semi final stage on Saturday 23 June 2012. We have two potentially explosive fixtures on the cards, defending champions Lunch Bar Quins facing off with KCB at the RFUEA Grounds while Impala RFC host Nondescript RUFC at the Impala Club.
Lunch Bar Quins v KCB
Saturday 23 June 2012, RFUEA Grounds
Center Referee:Colin Stanley
Assistant Referees: Andrew Karani,Mwangi Karimi
Quins are ten time Enterprise Cup champions and come into this tie looking to complete the season’s double, having claimed the Kenya Cup league title earlier this season. Earning a bye to the quarter final, Quins booked their semi final berth with a 39-13 home win over Kisumu RFC last weekend and will brace themselves for a sterner test from KCB.
KCB took a longer route to the semis, emerging victorious against sides perceived to be their bogey teams. The 2004 and 2007 Enterprise Cup champions began this season’s campaign with a 25-3 pre-quarter final win at home over Mwamba RFC on Saturday 9 June 2012 before overcoming the Strathmore Leos 14-3 at the latters home ground. Blending youth and experience, the Lions will fancy their chances when they meet a Quins side with whom they have shared some epic battles.
As mentioned earlier, this match should be potentially explosive owing to the fact that there will be some mini battles. Incumbent Quins and Kenya front rows Joel Ng’ang’a and Dennis Karani will be up against their national team counterparts Curtis Lilako and Moses Amusala.
The second row battle between Kenya international Wilson Kopondo and KCB youngster Oliver Mang’eni who recently earned a call up to Kenya’s provisional suqad for the Confederation of African Rugby tournament will worth watching while the backrow duel between former sevens internationals Brian Nyikuli (Quins) and Dennis Mwanja (KCB) will definitely be intriguing.
The midfield duels pitting Kenyan internationals Nick Barasa and Patrice Agunda (Quins) against Fabian Olando and Brian Omondi (KCB) will also be key in determining the outcome of this match.
This match kicks off at 4.30pm
Impala RFC v Nondescript RUFC
Saturday 23 June 2012, Impala Club
Center Referee: J.Muamba
Assistant Referees A.Ndong,Ian Muriuki
Two sides who had a Kenya Cup league season to forget face off in the second Enterprise Cup semi final. Impala RFC, losing finalists on the last two occassions host a Nondescript RUFC who like their hosts, are out to end the season on a high.
Ten time winners Impala qualified for the semis with a 23-6 win over Homeboyz last weekend while twenty five time winners Nondies booked their semi final berth with a 37-17 win over the Western Bulls.
There is all to play for, the long standing rivalry will also be a contributing factor. With both sides rebuilding, it will be interesting to see how this match turns up
Kick off, 4.30pm
Semi final action also continues in the Mwamba Cup, former champions KCB Cubs playing host to USIU at the Lions Den in Ruaraka while Impala Boks are at home to 2003 Mwamba Cup champions Mombasa at the Impala Club. Action in the Mwamba Cup kicks off at 3pm.
About Michael Kwambo
