Steaming KCB get first laugh against Kabras in season ending fixture

Reigning Kenya Cup champions KCB RFC registered a strong statement of intent in their chase for a historic fifth consecutive title and a ninth overall as they emerged victorious against table toppers and sworn enemies Kabras Sugar in a thrilling and packed season ending league fixture staged at the KCB Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.

Unlike last season, where the Bankers were beaten by the 2016 champions in the regular phase only for them to sweetly avenge for it in the finals, this time the Curtis Olago coached side left no room for slipups as they punished Kabras' mistakes on their way to a 28-20 win, a victory that consequently brought to an end the sugar millers' ten game unbeaten run as they were dealt their first loss of the season.

From kickoff, the game swiftly unfolded as predicted with both defenses well drilled to keep out any forays.

Upon a very early infringement, Darwin Mukidza easily got KCB 3-0 up on the scoreboard as he converted his penalty attempt.

His effort was however quickly nullified by Kabras who were not willing to yield any ground just yet in the contest. From a lineout, South African flyhalf Ntabeni Dukisa levelled things with a stunning drop goal much to the cheer of the faithful onlookers.

In a game that continued to be set apart by the accuracy of the boot, Mukidza extended his team's lead to 9-3 as he drilled in two penalties that arose from infringements committed by their opponents.

Unfortunately for Kabras who had a chance to once again level things with two penalties of their own, Dukisa only managed to convert one as he missed the other to close the gap to 9-6.

Backed by the presence of KCB Bank CEO Joshua Oigara, the reigning champions upped the ante as they found their first try of the game that stemmed as a result of ruthless determination from scrumhalf Samuel Asati, Mukidza adding the extras to take the game to a 16-6 half time scoreline.

In the second half, the Bankers picked up where they left as Patrick Ouko bulldozed his way over the tryline with Mukidza staying perfect off the boot as the scores read 23-6.

Taken aback by the growing gap, George Nyambua responded in almost similar instant fashion for Kabras as Jone Kubu converted the try to reduce the gap to ten points (23-13).

After a dogged desire to stay in the game, Kabras finally managed to reduce the deficit to only three points with ten minutes to go as Brian Tanga cheekily exploited the spaces left behind after the sugarmen had called for a scrum.

With only minutes left to spare though, and the game dangerously poised for anyone who could find the next try, KCB unleashed their special weapon as Mukidza offloaded a beautiful pass to Alvin 'Buffa' Otieno who steamingly ran all the way from the 22m line before touching down at the corner.

Despite Mukidza missing the conversion attempt, it mattered less as KCB ended Kabras'unbeaten run following the 28-20 victory.