Quins bottle it against Leos
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 19.06.21. | 15:32
Leos capitalised on their one man advantage as they scored a try in the 78th minute.
Strathmore Leos rallied from behind to secure an important draw after Kenya Harlequins surrender a massive advantage to draw the tie 20-20 in a Kenya Cup clash staged at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.
Aiming to bounce back from their humiliating defeat at the hands of 2016 Kenya Cup champions Kabras and salvage some pride against a Strathmore Leos side that was in pursuit of their maiden win this season, Quins were not well prepared or just underestimated the students.
Quins were on the ascendancy from the onset as they touched down in the fifth minutes through the returning Frank Wanyama who shrugged off his off field court battles for an alleged sexual assault case. Quins however failed to extend their lead from the conversion as Isaac Wafula watched his kick sail wide.
Quins extended their lead in the 15th minute through the boot of Wafula who atoned for his earlier miss as he converted his penalty just in front of the sticks to make it an eight-point game.
Quins exerted their superiority in the game as they bagged another try in the 35th minute through Melvin Thairu who powered through the frail Leos defense from a well worked line out after sustained pressure.
Leos went into the half time break with points on the board as Arnold Muita finally converted his penalty after an offside call from Quins which led to Dan Suchi being sent to the bin for repeated offenses.
Quins had a mirror start to the second half as they needed just two minutes to extend their lead with Douglas Kahuri going on a lung bursting run before being brought down five minutes from the line but Quins brilliantly recycled possession with Kahuri deservedly claiming his try. Wafula however missed his kick to see Quins lead 20-3.
Strathmore finally registered a try of their own in the 62nd minute after mounting some serious pressure that saw Maxwell Omondi cross the whitewash with Muita adding the two points to make if 20-10.
Luis Kisia's charges aimed to really back into the clash as they scored a penalty through the boot of Muita to make it a seven point game.
Leos capitalised on their one man advantage as they scored a try in the 78th minute of the game after turning over the ball on the left flank that ended with Matoka Matoka scoring a try as Muita converted the all important kick to level the scores at 20-20 and held on for the important draw.
