Kenya Harlequins Win Enterprise Cup 1/4 Final

By Herbert Mwachiro
July 25 2005

The two oldest rugby clubs in Kenya met on Saturday at RFUEA grounds in what was to be an very entertaining game of the 75 year old Enterprise Cup knock out championship. A very young Quins side missing several regulars through injury, commitments or defections were all geared up for the challenge.

Quins took the pitch aware that any slip ups would indeed be costly while Nondies took the game very seriously as this was their last chance for any meaningful silverware in the 15-a-side game this season.

Quins were first off the blocks were 10 nil ahead with 2 quick tries in just under 5 minutes. Ken Osinde cementing his place further in the team with will a well earned try.  Nondies settled and Quins relaxed the pedal and they hit back with a penalty and then 2 tries in succession to talk a 13 -10 lead. Quins were shell shocked and before they could say 'jack', they were hit with another try that saw Nondies take a 20 -10 lead at the breather. Quins were stunned!

Pep talk by the coach Tom "Crusader" Odundo saw Quins come back a much hungrier side and a mistake by former Quin Charles Cardovillis gifted Allan Makaka with an easy try which the speedster was grateful to take. 20 - 17 the score stood in favour of Nondies where Quins held the upper hand as an increasingly tired Nondies were continuously on the back foot. Another Quins try saw Quins regain the lead and 22-20 the score was. Tito Oduk was still yet to find his kicking boots. Nondies hit back immediately and retook the lead to make it 27-22. With the Quins fans on their feet and watching the clock new signing Ted Omondi proved his worth at stand off and scored his debut try for Quins to make it 27 - 27. Oduk's toes found some direction and 29-27 it was. Sean Omondi in yet another master class performance from the Kenya full back breached the Nondies defence to make it 34 - 27. A Nondies penalty made it 34 -30 but man of the match David Mogere was not going to be left out of the scoring as he thugged his way to score at try that made 39 -30. A difficult penalty by Tito Oduk crowned the evening for Quins with the final score being 42-30 to Quins. Nondies season was effectively over. They had played 3 games in their new strip and had 3 losses in a row to show for it. The new shirts must have been very tight. Man of the Match : David Mogere.

Quins therefore booked a semi final date with their Red Rascal neighbours from across the fence Impala RFC in what promises to be another hard fought battle. There certainly is no love lost between the two neighbours. The youthful seconds were not so fortunate this time round as Mombasa dumped them out of the second division knockout competition, the Mwamba Cup. 25 - 11 was the score but they still have the second division Eric Shirley Shield semi to play for against the same team. They will surely be wiser in their approach next time.

This coming week sees the League resume and Quins meet League leaders Impala in a game that may shed a bit of light on the destiny of the Kenya Cup with basically 2 rounds to go. Impala lead Quins by 2 points and KCB RFC also in contention, this 3 way horse race is indeed very tight. Good Luck Quins and Good Luck to the seconds.

On a sad note, we send our condolences on learning of the death of former Impala player John Muhato who passed away late last week. John was an Impala stalwart from the early 70s and a fine rugby player in his day. May the Good Lord rest his soul in peace.