KCB Rugby Football Club

• Nakuru end 45 year wait for Enterprise Cup

  Posted: September 29, 2008, 3:33 pm by KCBRFC

  Nakuru RFC, fondly referred to as "Wanyore" by their adoring fans
  ended a 45 year wait for the Enterprise Cup when they beat pre-match
  favourites Mwamba RFC 34-24 in a pulsating final played at the RFUEA
  on Saturday. They last won the cup in 1963.

  It was the end of a good run which saw them defeat last year's
  champions Kenya Commercial Bank and Impala RFC in the semis and
  quarter final. Popularly known as 'Wanyore' Nakuru RFC pocketed
  Sh250,000 from the sponsors Zain.

  Vincent Mose, the Nakuru RFC full-back and captain received the fat
  cheque and trophy from Rene Meza, the Zain Managing Director who led a
  powerful delegation from the sponsors.

  The full back who also plays for the national seven-a-side team said
  the final was quite difficult. "We won because the players were
  composed. It is always difficult to come from behind and win against a
  classy side like Mwamba," Mose admitted. Nakuru RFC panicked when
  Mwamba took an early lead but got back their groove and a change of
  tactics ensured the cup was on its way to the Rift Valley.

  Although Nakuru RFC had an advantage in the forwards where they pushed
  around Mwamba quite a bit, they still took on Mwamba backs. Twenty
  three year old former student at Kabarak University Davis Yanga who
  was named as the man of the match did the damage scoring two tries on
  the right wing.

  Some positional changes saw Graham Kombo moved from the left wing to
  backrow to partner Che Ikongo and Nick Lango. It was the ability of
  the Nakuru RFC forwards to win balls in the line out and rucks which
  was the difference in this tightly fought match. Lango was a good ball
  carrier while scrum-half Gibson Weru just held onto the ball for a
  little bit before releasing to his fly-half Simon Wariuki to kick for
  territory.

  Wariuki matched Asego in re-starting the game hanging the ball in the
  air for a long time to give his players adequate time to retrieve.

  Humphrey Kayange, the Mwamba captain said the systems and game plan
  did not work against Nakuru. Despite a storming start which saw Lavin
  Asego miss an attempted drop kick after only 32 seconds of play,
  Mwamba were a pale shadow of the side which overran Nondescripts 44-8
  in the semi-final.

  "We did not play our best match. It is a painful defeat. Nakuru got us
  on the rucks and neutralized our backrow. In the second half, fatigue
  set in and Nakuru stepped up their game. We were unable to respond,"
  Kayange explained.

  John Onyango-Mbai agreed. "Nakuru had us on the backfoot, beat us on
  the breakdown points and won turn over balls," he stated. Mwamba got
  Sh125,000 for finishing second.

  Steve Sewe opened the scores for Mwamba in the third minute. Davis
  Yanga leveled for Nakuru RFC in the 11th minute. Tito Oduk broke the
  deadlock with a penalty for Mwamba in the 18th minute.

  As Nakuru gained their footing, Wariuki missed two penalties before
  Che Ikongo went over for Nakuru's second try under the posts which
  Wariuki converted as they led 12-8.

  Collins Injera restored Mwamba's lead with a try in the 31st minute.
  The lead lasted only until the third minute of the second half when
  Wariuki put over a penalty from infront of the posts.

  Four minutes later, Richmond Baraza crossed over from a line-out on
  the five metre line to bring back Mwamba into contention. A silly
  penalty by Mwamba infront of the posts was slotted by Wariuki to tie
  the scores 18-18 for the second time. He kicked over one more in the
  55th minute to break the deadlock.

  Tito Oduk leveled for Mwamba in the 57th minute. When Yanga scored his
  second try in the 59th minute, the writing was on the wall because
  Mose kicked and chased a grubber to score and extend the lead 31-21.
  Oduk replied with a penalty but Wariuki had the last say kicking over
  a penalty with eight minutes left.

  Nakuru RFC will now meet Quins in the Posta Pay Grand Slam next
  weekend at the RFUEA ground.

  Mwamba: 15 Steve Okeyo, 14 Steve Sewe, 13 Humphrey Kayange, 12 Tito
  Oduk, 11 Collins Injera, 10 Lavin Asego, 9 Mike Mutuku, 8 George
  Mbaye, 7 Louis Kisia, 6 Martin Munyasi, 5 Edwin Machanje, 4 Ayub
  Ongoro, 3 Richard Nyakwaka, 2 Salaton Mutwiri, 1 Richmond Barasa.
  Replacements: 16 Joseph Oriwo, 17 Charles Maina, 18 Kevin Hamisi, 19
  Edward Macharia, 20 Sidney Nderitu, 21 Kevin Wambua, 22 Horace Otieno.
  Coach: John Onyango-Mbai.

  Nakuru: 15 Vincent Mose, 14 Davis Yanga, 13 Kelvin Otieno, 12 Cyprian
  Shimenga, 11 Calvin Otieno, 10 Simon Wariuki, 9 Gibson Weru, 8 Che
  Ikongo, 7 Graham Kombo, 6 Nick Lango, 5 Martin Opondo, 4 Edwin Makori,
  3 Isaac Nyariki, 2 Dennis Abenga, 1 Alex Omwenga. Replacements: 16
  Lawrence Buyachi, 17 Oscar Owuor, 18 Pascal Wetukha, 19 Sammy Warui,
  20 Bernard Chirchir, 21 Ronald Lovega, 22 George Orina. Coach: Jotham
  Owili.

  Referee: Godwin Karuga, TJ1 Paul Weloba, TJ2 Mwangi Karimi.

  Mwamba Cup

  Quins II 8 KCB II 5

  Quins II defeated KCB II 8-5 to win the Mwamba Cup. The two sides will
  meet again in the Posta Pay Grand Slam next weekend.

  Quins II: 15 Eric Mweu, 14 Collins Omai, 13 Kelvin Bett, 12 Amos
  Agiro, 11 Ben Obengu, 10 John Khakame, 9 Kabau Muruateti, 8 Ken
  Kiprop, 7 Kelvin Kinaga, 6 Moses Ochieng, 5 Caleb Otieno, 4 Joseph
  Kangethe, 3 Henry Omondi, 2 Ronald Olewe, 1 James Kangethe.
  Replacements: 16 Francis Muhindi, 17 Derric Andera, 18 Jackson Muinai,
  19 Brian Omino, 20 Fervent Thumbi, 21 Ayub Kimutai, 22 Maxwell Gitau.
  KCB II: 15 Oscar Mango, 14 Curtis Katembo, 13 Brian Omondi, 12 Gavin
  Makuba, 11 Dedan Omondi, 10 Haroun Lubisia, 9 Billy Odhiambo, 8 Frank
  Nabutola, 7 Issa Chibole, 6 Jones Owino, 5 Julian Ochieng, 4 Ian
  Indimuli, 3 John Macharia, 2 Ronald Njoga, 1 Haran Okello.
  Replacements: 16 Calisto Owade, 17 Dan Ondima, 18 Bryson Sifuma, 19
  Victor Andanje, 20 Xavier Makuba, 21 Edward Opio, 22 Kevin Nyausi.
  (additional info courtesy of the KRFU Communications and Media team)

  Referee: John Bosco Muamba, TJ1 Paul Kilonso, TJ2 Chris Okumu.

• Time To Reflect

  Posted: September 29, 2008, 2:00 pm by junior

  Inspite of missing out on silverware this season, I hope the players have the heart to play next season. It has been a challenging season and inasmuch as there will be alot of flak and negative talk, we have to pick up the positives.
  This season saw the highest number of junior players featuring for the first team at various levels. This exposure will prove vital in the coming seasons. Secondly some of the younger players proved their mettle when called upon to do so. This was clearly evident when we lost several players to the national team.
  Thirdly, losing has now eased the pressure on us. The level of complacency that had set in needed to be dealt with and hopefully that is now a thing of the past.
  We have new players rising up and that means new ambition and higher levels of energy. The senior players really need to get their act together. The club is bigger than any single individual and the best contribution one can give as a senior player is to set a good a example to the young turks.
  Winning every game is important and it should make us happy when we win. Losing should not make us unhappy because that would negate what sportsmanship is all about. Im looking forward to a great new season with this team.
  
  

• Rugby quotes

  Posted: September 25, 2008, 3:40 pm by KCBRFC

  Best of luck to the KCB Cubs as they play in their sixth successive
  Mwamba Cup final against Quins II. Remember the Cubs are looking for a
  fourth Mwamba Cup, having claimed the title in 2004,2005 and 2006.

  Some of the best rugby quotes you'll ever read….

  "Nobody in Rugby should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like
  Norman Einstein." - Jono Gibbs of the Chiefs tells it like it isn't.

  "I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." - Rodney
  So'oialo of the Hurricanes on University

  "You guys line up alphabetically by height" and "You guys pair up in
  groups of three, then line up in a circle." - Hurricanes head coach
  Colin Cooper.

  Chris Masoe of the Hurricanes on whether he had visited the Pyramids
  during his visit to Egypt: "I can't really remember the names of the
  clubs that we went to."

  "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of
  what time it is." - Colin Cooper on Paul Tito

  Auckland's Kevin Senio on night rugby vs day games: "It's basically
  the same, just darker."

  David Nucifora (Auckland) talking about Troy Flavell: "I told him,
  'Son, what is it with you. Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said,
  'David, I don't know and I don't care.'"

  Hurricane David Holwell, when asked about the upcoming season: "I want
  to reach for 150 or 200 points this season, whichever comes first."

  "Andy Ellis - the 21 year old, who turned 22 a few weeks ago." -
  commentator Murray Mexted.

  "Colin has done a bit of mental arithmetic with a calculator." - Ma
  Nonu sums it up.

  "He scored that try after only 22 seconds - totally against the run of
  play." - Murray Mexted, again.

  "We actually got the winning try three minutes from the end but then
  they scored." - Phil Waugh from the Warratahs.

  "I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body." -
  Jerry Collins.

  "That kick was absolutely unique, except for the one before it which
  was identical." - Tony Brown

  "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father." - Tana
  Umaga narrows down his parents.

  "Sure there have been injuries and deaths in rugby - but none of them
  serious." - Doc Mayhew, a real doctor too….you can tell.

  "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same
  thing again." - Anton Oliver, gentleman and scholar.

  "I would not say he (Rico Gear) is the best left winger in the Super
  14, but there are none better." - Murray Mexted, yet again.

  "I never comment on referees and I'm not going to break the habit of a
  lifetime for that prat." - the diplomatic Ewan McKenzie.

  Murray Deaker: "Have you ever thought of writing your autobiography?"
  Tana Umaga: "On what?"

  "Well, either side could win it, or it could be a draw." - bless Murray Mexted.

  "Strangely, in slow motion replay, the ball seemed to hang in the air
  for even longer." - Murray Mexted, the most smartest commentator.

  It's not Bragging If You Can Back it Up

  
  --
  [kcbrfc.blogspot.com]

• A brief review of the 2008 season

  Posted: September 22, 2008, 4:55 pm by KCBRFC

  To summarize, the 2008 season has been full of challenges, and the results show how competitive the league has become. Having lost key players,notably  Arnold Odera and Andrew Amonde to the US coupled with injuries to Jotham Yahuma,Anthony Ochino, Dennis Mwanja,Emmanuel  Shitote for long durations,as well as the loss of explosive winger Richard Kinyany through work commitments, then throw in the technical changes at the club,it was always going to be hard to defend our position at the helm. Our contribution to Kenya XV can't go unmentioned.In 2008, we also finally got the most elusive silverware, the Super Series. The Cubs impressive run continues, and this remains the backbone of Kenya Cup ambitions. We should expect a smooth transition of a good number of the Cubs into the main league, and with this, the Lions will revert to winning ways. As we look forward to our 20th Anniversary, expect KCB to continue dominating Kenya rugby.

  
  

• There goes another trophy

  Posted: September 22, 2008, 3:26 pm by KCBRFC

  A 7-19 loss in the Zain Enterprise Cup semi final to Nakuru RFC on Saturday at the RFUEA sums up a disappointing 2008 season that has seen the Lions lose the Floodlit, Kenya Cup and now the Enterprise Cup. It is now upon KCB's Cubs to win reclaim the Mwamba Cup and bring silverware to the Lions Den whose trophy cabinets have been emptied this year. The Cubs qualified for their sixth successive final with a 23-14 win over Impala's Boks.

  
  

• Lions face Nakuru in Enterprise Cup Semis

  Posted: September 17, 2008, 12:00 pm by KCBRFC

  Fresh from a 39-0 away win over Mombasa in the Zain Enterprise Cup Semi final, defending champions KCB Lions come up against Nakuru RFC, the only side to beat them at the Lions Den during the 2008 Kenya Cup league. This promises to be an explosive, exciting match, typical of previous encounters between the Lions and the "Wanyore" who knocked out pre match favorites Impala 24-15 at their Nakuru backyard. Watch out for the post match report.

  
  

• Hail the Cubs, 2008 Eric Shirley Shield winners

  Posted: September 5, 2008, 8:39 pm by KCBRFC

  KCB's feeder side, the Cubs sealed their 2008 Eric Shirley Shield campaign in style with a four try 26-7 win over hosts Quins II on Saturday at the RFUEA. Despite this being a formality match, the Cubs went into this fixture hungry for a win against a side that had vanquished them twice in the season, 0-8 in the KRFU Chairman's Cup final and 7-11 in the Eric Shirley Shield first leg in June.
  
  Both sides started the match tentatively sizing up each other for close to fifteen minutes. Steve Matioli raised the ball in the 18th minute and Bryan Omondi capitalized on indecisive handling by the Quins backs to score probably the easiest two tries of his fledgling rugby career. Omondi picked up the loose ball and cantered to the tryline. Matioli's conversion saw the Cubs lead 7-0. This try snuffed the life out of Quins as the Cubs rose to the ascendency,totally dominating the set pieces and open play. Matioli raised another high ball in the 32nd minute and for the second time Omondi was gifted with a try. Matioli was successful with the conversion. Scores 14-0 to the Cubs.
  
  Quins were quick off the blocks in the second half, scoring a try in the 42nd minute through Franklin Rop. Kevin Bett was successful with his conversion. Cubs 14 Quins 7.
  Quins soon ran out of steam as the Cubs absorbed the pressure. The introduction of experienced fresh legs by the Cubs technical bench was a masterstroke as the new inclusions upped the tempo against a tiring Quins and it was hardly a surprise when Xavier Makuba scored a pushover try in the 72nd minute that was converted by Matioli. Scores 21-7. Winger Dedan Omondi was the beneficiary of another pushover try in the 77th minute. Final Score Cubs 26 Quins 7.
  
  The Cubs have been impressive in winning a first ESS since 2004 and will be out to reclaim the Mwamba Cup that they held between 2004 and 2006.
  
  It is worth noting that they picked a bonus from every team they played against and conceded only five tries this term.
  
  
  CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS:Lions relinquish Kenya Cup

• Lions relinquish Kenya Cup

  Posted: September 1, 2008, 11:05 am by KCBRFC

  Action from Saturday's match
  
  The KCB Lions relinquished the Kenya Cup title when they went down 17-29 to hosts Kenya Harlequin on match day 18 at the RFUEA on Saturday.
  
  Needing only a draw, the Lions started the match frenetically, pinning Quins to their own half for the opening quarter of the game.They forced Quins into conceding three penalties but scrum half Peter Mutai missed all his goal attempts.
  
  The hosts made a raid into Lions territory on 24 minutes, forcing the triple league champions into an error that saw match referee Godwin Karuga award them a penalty. Jude Thumbi opted for a touch kick at the five yard. They won the resultant line out and continued attacking.Karuga awarded the home side another penalty following another KCB infringement on the five yard, David Mogere scored a pushover try in the 27th minute. Thumbi missed the conversion as Quins led 5-0.
  
  Three minutes later, KCB conceded a penalty after Dennis Mwanja was caught offside 40 yards out and Thumbi was sure with his goal attempt, extending Quins lead to 8-0. Thumbi kicked over another penalty in the 32nd minute as Quins led 11-0.
  
  Quins' hooker Vincent Ongera scored a pushover try on the stroke of half time. Thumbi did not disappoint with the conversion. The home side went into the interval leading 18-0 which was pretty cruel for KCB as they dominated this half for large spells, failing to convert possession into points.
  
  KCB coach Bill Githinji must have said something to fire up his charges when the match resumed in the second half. They came out with guns blazing,dominating the early exchanges. Lock Anthony Ogot won a line out ball in the 45th minute, beating several defenders but his support arrived late and referee Karuga penalized the KCB forwards for an infringement. Undeterred, KCB piled on the pressure. Prop Franklin "Stooge" Amiani beat the Quins defence and his support arrived in time to form a maul and after ten phases of play, the combative Neil Dick scored a pushover try for the Lions on 50 minutes. Flyhalf Edwin Kiprono converted for the scores to read 7-18.
  
  This try seemed to give the Lions new impetus as they went right back at Quins, throwing everything at the home side and scored a second pushover try through Amiani in the 55th minute. Kiprono's conversion narrowed the scores to 14-18. the Lions were within touching distance of Quins.Moments later, KCB would lose the inspirational Dick through injury,an incident that signalled the end of a potent partnership with Amiani that had resulted in their second half revival.
  
  Thumbi would return to haunt KCB with a 62nd minute drop goal that extended Quins' lead to 14-21. KCB responded right from kick off, camping in their opponents half and earning a 67th minute penalty that Kiprono put over as the deficit came down to four points.17-21 Quins.
  
  Kiprono had earlier broken free, squandering an opportunity to touch down when he opted to raise the ball over the Quins defence, an exercise in futility.With the clock winding down,Thumbi slotted home a 72nd minute penalty to stretch the lead to 17-24 for Quins. An 80th try minute from substitute Alan Makaka killed off the Lions as Quins won their first Kenya Cup since 2003,ending KCB's three year reign as Kenyan club champions.
  
  Earlier, KCB's Cubs who had won the second division Eric Shirley Shield with a match in hand, ended their fixtures on a high, beating Quins II 26-7 at the same venue. Bryan Omondi scored a brace of tries while Xavier Makuba and Dedan Omondi scored one try each. Steve Matioli kicked over three conversions. Kevin Bett scored the lone try for Quins II which was converted by Frank Rop.( Full Review in Friday's editon of KCBRFC Online).
  
  
  It was a good game of rugby, a game in which the form book was thrown out of the window.Kudos to Quins for winning the league title. The Lions will live to fight another day.
  
  The curtain has now fallen on the league season,paving way for the knock out Zain Enterprise and Mwamba Cups which kick off on 6th September 2008.
  
  
  

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Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes