Kenya Cup: Nondies overcome Quins to book semis date with Kabras

Nondescripts defeated their eternal rivals Kenya Harlequins 26-20 in a thrilling Kenya Cup play-off encounter played at the RFUEA Grounds on Saturday 16 March.

The result is historic for Nondies as since the reintroduction of the playoffs in Kenya Cup in 2010, Nondies are set to appear in their first semifinal. It is also the first time in 20 years that Nondies are making the final four in the competition.

Nondies coach Callum Oliver gave credit to his players for a good performance and hailed the victory as a testament to the work the club has been putting behind the scenes to rebuild the club.

"Credit goes to the players who have been fantastic today. It was not an easy match because Quins are a fantastic club. It has been a long journey to this victory and we will continue to work hard to build a sustainable rugby club," Oliver said after the game.

His counterpart, Quins coach Paul Murunga, rued the first half red card to Zedden Marrow which reduced them to 14 men and the yellow card to Richel Wangila which saw Quins lose momentum for 10 minutes in the second half as they were down to 13 men.

"We suffered a red card in the first half and a yellow in the second half that reduced us to 13 men which saw our lead reduced. Our decision making should have been better in the final minutes too because we panicked and that is how we lost the game," Murunga said.

The see-saw battle saw Nondies draw first blood with Dominic Osino scoring a try in the fourth minute. Moseti Nyaenya followed it with a succesful conversion to give the away a 7-0 lead. Nondies failed to build on that good start and allowed Kenya Harlequins within touching distance of them as the home side scored two penalties through Evin Asena in 20th and 34th minute. Asena's penalties came either side of Kenya Harlequins being reduced to 14 men after Zedden Marrow was sent off in the 26th minute.

Nondies failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and capitulated miserably when Alex Devereux was sinbinned in the 39th minute. Kenya Harlequins took quick advantage of Nondies being reduced to 14 and quickly scored a try through Richel Wangila in the 40th minute which was converted by Asena. Kenya Harlequins led 13-7 at halftime and quickly extended their lead to 20-7 immediately after the restart as Meshack Tennech scored a try in the 43rd minute which was converted by Asena.

In the 47th minute, Kenya Harlequins was temporatily reduced to 13 after Richel Wangila was sent to the sin bin. Nondies took advantage of Wangila's brief exit and the return of Devereux from the sin bin to make a return to the scoreboard with substitute Charles Omondi scoring a try in the 50th minute. However, Nyaenya failed to convert and Kenya Harlequins had the their lead reduced to 20-12.

Kenya Harlequins battled resolutely with 13 men against Nondies 15 and looked set to protect their 8-point lead until Wangila returns but a lapse in concentration saw them lose possession in a dangerous, allowing Fred Shisia a clear run to the try line in the 56th minute. Nyaenya made an easy conversion as Nondies reduced the deficit to just a point with the score changing to 20-19. That set the match for a tense which for a larger part of it saw Kenya Harlequins battle hard to retain possession in Nondies territory.

However, a change of possession saw the visitors launch a successful late charge that culminated in a try from Steve Odhiambo in the 82nd minute. Nyaenya converted the try to confirm Nondies victory as the match ended 26-20 in their favour. Nondies will now face Kabras Sugar in the semifinal of the 2023/24 Kenya Cup. The match will be played on Saturday 23 March at the Bull Ring in Kakamega.

Other matches

Earlier, at the same venue in the Eric Shirley Shield, Kenya Harlequins II defeated Nondies II 15-10 to qualify for the semifinals. Quins II will now meet KCB II in the semifinals of the ESS on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka. At the Nakuru Showground, Menengai Oilers survived a late onslaught from Blak Blad to defeat the Kenya University side 26-12 to book their spot in the Kenya Cup semifinals where they will face KCB at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Oilers led 16-0 at the break which they extended to 26-0 after the restart. Blak Blad then scored 12 points from a penalty and a converted try but their revival proved too little too late. Reading from the same script as their senior, Menengai Oilers II defeated Blak Blad II 48-17 to progress to the semifinals of the Eric Shirley Shield. Oilers II will meet Kabras II in the semifinals of the ESS on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Bull Ring in Kakamega.