Kenya Cup: Nondies shock Quins to make maiden semi-final in a decade as Oilers fry Blak Blad

RUGBY Kenya Cup: Nondies shock Quins to make maiden semi-final in a decade as Oilers fry Blak Blad

Mark Kinyanjui 19:04 - 16.03.2024

Nondies shock Quins for the second weekend in a row to qualify for their first semi-final in over 10 years as Menengai Oilers nonchalantly sail into semis with Black Blad win.

It was heartbreak for Kenya Harlequin as they lost in dramatic circumstances to Nondies 26-20 after being reduced to 14 men to fail to set a Kenya Cup semi-final rematch with Kabras Sugar next weekend.

Elsewhere Menengai Oilers will be playing KCB after they brushed aside Black Blad 26-12 in Nakuru in what is going to be a highly anticipated encounter.

Here is the recap of the Kenya Cup playoff action:

Kenya Harlequin 20-26 Nondies

Nondies will be taking part in the semi-finals of the 2023/2024 Kenya Cup season for the first time in over a decade after they knocked out Kenya Harlequin 26-20 in a dramatic last-gasp victory played at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.

Nondies took the early lead with a well-converted try by Dominic Osino in the fourth minute made life difficult for Quins to fight back.

They made it difficult for Quins to create inroads, especially after Albert Atela was sent off for an infringement, but did commit two infringements that got Erin Asena to convert the penalties well, the first in the 23rd minute and another in the 40th minute, sandwiched between a penalty Nondies missed themselves in the 37th minute.

Nondies did however get going by landing the first try of their afternoon after Richel Wanjala touched down the ball on the try box after being set up well by an intelligent Asena run, giving them a 13-7 lead at the break.

Nondies started brilliantly yet again in the second half, landing another well-converted try through prop Meshack Tunneh, and it got the crowd that had attended the RFUEA Grounds into ruptures.

The record Kenya Cup champions would reduce the deficit by landing a try through substitute Dennis Munala, although it was not converted, to make the score 20-12.

Steve Odhiambo would bag the other try for Nondies, this time converted by Nyaenya Moseti, with the game on edge, as Quins led by a solitary point.

Quins threatened to go ahead and even had a penalty hit just wide, but they would be made to pay for their profligacy as a well-converted try in the end by Fred Shisia would knock them out of the competition.

Menengai Oilers 26-12 Black Blad

Menengai Oilers will be facing KCB in the semi-finals after they managed to down a spirited Black Blad 26-12  in the other playoff.

Match report to follow...