NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 21 – In a weekend that saw three hotly contested rugby events held; the Kenya Cup women’s final, Enterprise Cup last 16 and the Championship semi that saw Mean Machine and Catholic Monks promoted back to the Kenya Cup, fans showed up to spice up the games. Here is how the actions went down behind the scenes courtesy of Capital Sport.
‘Beb’ did you see that try? Her which one? Fans follow the match as they exchange sweet words at the Kenya Cup women’s final. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAImpala’s loyal fan and Capital FM’s The Jam Presenter Martin ‘Palloti’ gestures at the action where Mwamba faced Impala in the Kenya Cup Women’s Final. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAMwamba fans rally behind their team as they took on Impala in the Kenya Cup Women’s Final. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Janet Okello, was the heroine of the game as she landed two tries to overturn a 10-3 half time lead to defeat Impala Roans 15-11 and lift the inaugural Women’s Kenya Cup at the Impala Club.
A rugby fan with kid follows up the Kenya Cup women’s final pitting hosts Impala and Mwamba at the Impala Club. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAFans enjoy the Kenya Cup women’s final pitting hosts Impala and Mwamba. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAImpala fans and sub players follows their Kenya Cup women final against Mwamba. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAReferees who officiated the Kenya Cup Women’s Final pose for a photo/PHOTO/RAYMOND MAKHAYA Centre Referee Mercy Dudi caution Impala player in the Kenya Cup women’s final against Mwamba. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAMwamba’s Naomi Amuguni charges past Impala during the Kenya Cup Women’s final at Impala Grounds on Saturday, 19th 2022. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYACentre Referee Mercy Dudi gives instructions in the Kenya Cup women’s final at Impala Grounds. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Okello scored the game’s opening try, the conversion sailing wide for a 5-0 score before Anne Koki drilled home a penalty to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Diana Omosso then landed Mwamba’s second try for a 10-3 score at the break.
Mwamba’s Diana Omosso goes for a conversion as her team dominated in the Kenya Cup women’s final at Impala Club. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Another Koki penalty brought the score to 10-6 before Okello landed her second and Mwamba’s third, the scores 15-6.
Impala Roans kept up the pressure, Hesla Khisa going over the chalk for their second try as Mwamba held on to win the title.
Mwamba’s superstar Janet Akello scores a Try in the Kenya Cup women’s final against Impala. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAMwamba’s Janet Okello in action in the Kenya Cup women’s final against Impala. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAMwamba players celebrating the victory against Impala in the Kenya Cup women’s final. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAMwamba players celebrating winning the Kenya Cup women title. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Commenting after the game, Impala Roans Head Coach and former Kenya international Mary Ochieng said, “The girls gave it a good fight despite falling short in the set-pieces. They contested the rucks and tries to run the ball but they fell short.”
Impala Roans Head Coach and former Kenya international Mary Ochieng disappointed after her team lost 15-11 to Mwamba in the women’s Kenya Cup final. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA Mwamba Coach Joseph Odindi, Stephanie Rose and Physio Levyce Kituyi follows their team with his technical bench. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAMwamba Coach Joseph Odindi reacts as his team beat Impala 15-11 in the Kenya Cup women final. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAPhoto/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
-Machine, Monks make Kenya Cup return-
Catholic Monks and Mean Machine returned to the Kenya Cup after navigating through tough KRU Championship semifinal fixture.
Fans follows the championship action at the RFUEA Grounds where Monks edged out Shamas Rugby Foundation 9-5 in the semis. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAFans at RFUEA ground enjoying the Championship semi featuring Catholic Monks and Shamas Rugby Foundation. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAShamas Foundation Fans reacts at Referees call during their KRU Championship semi-final clash against Catholic Monks. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAShamas Foundation fans follows there semi-final KRU Championship match against Catholic Monks. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Monks edged out Shamas Rugby Foundation 9-5 at the RFUEA while Mean Machine, Kenya Cup champions in 1977,1989 and 1990 edged hosts South Coast Pirates 20-14 in Ukunda.
Catholics University Monks player Samuel Otieno in action against Shamas Foundation in the KRU Championship semis. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHACatholics University’s Maxwell Omondi charges towards Shamas defence.Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYACatholics University’s Maxwell Omondi charges towards Shamas defence.Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAShamas Foundation charges against Catholics Monks. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAShamas Foundation avoids Catholics Monks defence. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYACentre Referee Saidi Kenya reacts to Shamas Foundation complains. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAShamas Foundation’s John Kiilu in action against Catholics’ Monks Elly Ojwang.Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYACentre Referee Saidi Kenya in action between Shamas Foundation against Catholics Monks. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Monks last featured in the Kenya Cup during the 2014/15 season while Machine return for their third stint in the league, the first lasting between 1977 and 2016/2017 before returning for the 2018/19 season.
Catholics University coach Simon Jawichire follows their match against Shamas Foundation. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAShamas Foundation Rugby coach reacts on the touchline. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
-Enterprise Cup kick-off on a high-
The Enterprise Cup returned after a two year hiatus with five round of 16 matches taking place on Saturday.
Kenya Harlequins’ Mark Mungo is tackled by Homeboyz Humphrey Wambui. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Resolution Impala Saracens produced the biggest result of the round, eliminating Kenya Cup finalists Menengai Oilers 24-17 in a pulsating fixture at the Impala Club.
Across the fence at the RFUEA Ground, Homeboyz defeated hosts Kenya Harlequin 24-19
Impala RFC Men Rugby Coach Oscar Osir following the Enterprise Cup last 16. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Over at the Ngong Racecourse, Nondescripts marched on to the last eight with a 36-10 victory over Kakamega’s Western Bulls while KCB were made to fight for the 34-25 victory over the Strathmore Leos at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka.
Defending champions Kabras Sugar, Blak Blad, Top Fry Nakuru, Masinde Muliro and Mwamba also advanced to the last eight after receiving walkovers against their opponents Mean Machine, Mombasa and Kisumu respectively.