Kabras Sugar headed into match day eight anticipating their biggest challenge of the season thus far, and for the opening 40 minutes, matters seemed to be going to script, with hosts Kenya Harlequin rattling Kabras, taking a 22-19 lead into the interval at the RFUEA Ground.
However, a second-half response saw the champions score 31 unanswered points, claiming a convincing 50-22 full-time result. Despite the defeat, Quins remained fourth on the log with 28 points.
The result sees Kabras maintain their position at the top of the log with 40 points, having registered bonus point victories in each of their eight outings to date. Meanwhile, KCB remained second and unbeaten, building on a 21-7 lead at the break to see off hosts Kisumu 64-10 at the Kisumu Polytechnic. This result sees them on 39 points, having registered seven bonus points from their eight outings.
Over in Nakuru, Menengai Oilers consolidated third place with a 31-18 win over Nondescripts, who despite the defeat, remained on 14 points and in the sixth and final playoff slot with three rounds of the regular season still to play.
The varsity derby at Kenyatta University did not disappoint, with hosts Kenyatta University Blak Blad just shading it 28-22 against the Catholic Monks. This result kept Blad in fifth place on 19 points and in playoff contention, while Monks remained eleventh, and in one of the two relegation spots on 6 points.
The Mwamba resurgence continued on Saturday, securing their third successive win with a 27-7 result over the Strathmore Leos, handing their playoff hopes a massive boost as they rose to seventh on 14 points.
Nakuru are just a point behind Mwamba courtesy of their 26-15 win at home to Homeboyz, a result that took their points tally to 13, while Homeboyz remained bottom of the table, winless on 2 points with a draw and seven defeats from their eight outings.
Looking ahead, there will only be one fixture this weekend when Catholic Monks host Nondescripts in a match rescheduled from January 6.
While the home semifinal slots are for all intents and purposes shared between Kabras and KCB, and with Oilers and Quins assured of playoff qualification, the fight for the remaining two slots remains a contest between Blad, Nondescripts, Mwamba, and Nakuru with three rounds of the regular season still to play.
Let’s see how it will turn out.
Collated Results
Kenya Harlequin 22-50 Kabras Sugar
Kisumu 10-64 KCB Rugby
Menengai Oilers 31-18 Nondescripts
Kenyatta University Blak Blad 28-22 Catholic Monks
Nakuru 26-15 Homeboyz
Strathmore Leos 7-27 Mwamba
