Reigning champions Kabras Sugar kept their dream of hosting the Kenya Cup final alive after a hard-fought 20-14 victory over arch-rivals Menengai Oilers in a tense Rai Derby encounter.
The Sugar Men rallied from 14-13 down at the break to tame inspired Oilers at the Nakuru Showground on Saturday.
While the win kept Kabras in the hunt, eight-time champions KCB upheld their league table leadership heading into the final round of matches next weekend after humiliating Impala 64-14 at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka on Friday.
The Bankers sit top on 50 points including 10 bonus points as four times champions Kabras trail KCB on two points in second after failing to register bonus points in their last two wins.
The two rugby giants will face off at the Kakamega Showground in an enticing clash to decide who finishes top in the regular season and gets to host the Kenya Cup final.
Unbeaten Kabras has hosted the Kenya Cup finals since the 2017/18 season.
Oilers, playing in front of their home fans, proved to be a formidable challenge.
The hosts started on the front foot, with Samwel Mwaura crossing over for an unconverted try to give Oilers a 5-0 lead. Timothy Omela then added a penalty to stretch the advantage to 8-0.
Kabras responded through South African playmaker Ntabeni Dukisa, who slotted in a penalty to cut the deficit to 8-5. The visitors then found their rhythm as Kenya Sevens scrum-half Brian Tanga, fresh from international duty at the Vancouver Sevens, made an instant impact with a brilliant try.
Dukisa added the extras, handing Kabras a 10-8 lead. However, Oilers hit back, with Omela reclaiming the lead through another penalty to make it 11-10 before stretching the gap further to 14-10 with his third successful kick.
Dukisa ensured Kabras stayed within touching distance by responding with a penalty just before halftime, leaving the visitors trailing by a single point at the break.
The second half saw Kabras take control, with their experience and composure proving crucial. It was Dukisa once again who delivered the decisive blow, crossing over for a crucial try before converting his own effort to give the sugar men a 20-14 lead.
Despite Oilers’ best efforts, Kabras held firm, defending resolutely to close out a crucial victory.
KCB head coach Oliver Mang’eni was pleased with his side’s dominant display but emphasized the need to remain focused for the bigger challenges ahead.
“For me, any game is won mentally and fitness wise. We have been struggling for some moment but there is a clear difference since my player are stronger, agile and faster now,” said Mang’eni.
Elsewhere, Nondies secured a 50-29 win over South Coast Pirates, while Nakuru edged Mwamba 32-27. Blak Blad prevailed 39-31 against Strathmore Leos, and Kenya Harlequin saw off Kisumu RFC 36-22.
