Visiting Total Nondies extinguished Resolution Impala Saracens playoff ambitions courtesy of a narrow 25-24 win at the Impala Club on Friday night.
Nondies were quick off the blocks, Nigel Waweru’s unconverted try putting them 5-0 up after two minutes of play.
The hosts would be reduced to fourteen men following Pius Shiundu’s yellow card and Nondies went 10-0 up moments later, Waweru barging over for his brace.
Kevin Were soon made it 15-0, scoring off an overlap, Brian Beckham missing his third conversion on the night.
Impala would start to settle, consolidating possession and territory, drawing a penalty off a Nondies infringement. George Okowa drilled home the ensuing goal attempt for a 15-3 score Nondies soon earned their bonus point try, scoring off a rolling maul, Beckham finally nailing the conversion for a 22-3 lead at the breather.
The second half was a different affair, Impala pinning Nondies in their territory. Sam Onsomu would play in Pius Shiundu off the ruck, Shiundu racing all of fifty meters to score, Okowa adding the extras for a 22-10 score eleven minutes into the second half.
Sammy Oliech then scored and converted his try to make it 22-17 on fifty eight minutes. A Beckham penalty saw Nondies up 25-17 up on sixty three minutes but sustained pressure saw David Dinda go over the chalk, Oliech converting for a 25-24 scoreline with thirteen minutes to play.
Impala were in the driving seat heading in the final ten minutes of play, losing a scoring opportunity when the final delivery to Shiundu was adjudged to have travelled forward.
Mike Mugo would then drop the ball while on the attack, referee Constant Cap blowing his whistle for full time.
The result saw Nondies also retain the Samson Odhiambo Memorial Cup played in honor of ex Impala and Nondies back row Samson “Chum Reru” Odhiambo.