Kenya Harlequin Update 30/6/2006

By Herbert Mwachiro
July 5 2006

From the minute Mwamba ran onto the pitch to face Quins in the return leg of their Kenya Cup encounter, they knew their goose was cooked. Even during their warm-up prior to the game they looked like lambs ready for slaughter.

Quins had revenge written all over their faces from the time they kicked off. An early try settled the nerves of the team. They then went to give a display Sure, Strong and Superior rugby. The score at the breather being 18-3. Five tries in all scored by the forwards showed what dominance there was upfront in the scrum. The try scorers were Enos Otieno, Lewis Olaka, Joel Nganga, Felix Ochieng, and Daniel Ngonga. Julius Abwanzo put over a penalty and a conversion. Final Score Quins 30 – 3. Mwamba simply had no answer. New national coach Manuel Okoth and Mwamba coach looked a forlorn figure as he sat in the stands wondering what had hit his charges. The win left Quins on top of the league table with 25 points, two ahead of defending champions KCB who have a game in hand and Nondies jumped into 3rd position with 21 points.

The whole team put in a solid effort with outstanding performances from Allan Onyango, Ken Osinde and Peter Abwoga but Man of the match went to new boy Ferdinand Ngaira who put in a superb performance with hard hitting tackles and solid go forward play. Later he performed a muscle show in the clubhouse as he accepted his man of the match award. Mr Universe watch out!

The seconds were not to be out done. Travelling to Kenyatta University for their ESS quarter-final game they produced one of their finest victories of the season. Blak Blad had gone through the regular season unbeaten and looked set to complete a formality against Quins seconds in their first leg encounter. Quins (ll) led by Cyrus the Virus had other ideas as the infected the Blad, shattered their unbeaten run to come off with an 11-6 win away putting them in pole position for the second leg.

This weekend sees Quins face Nondies away at Jamhuri Park in what promises to be a tough encounter as both teams are enjoying a rich vein of form. It was Nondies who shell-shocked Quins in the first round with an unlikely 21-6 victory when all seemed to have been wrapped up by Quins. Quins will be out to avenge that loss while Nondies will simply not be pushovers in their backyard. This game has all the ingredients of a thriller as both teams are still in contention for top honours together with KCB. The convoy to Jamhuri Park leaves Quins at 4pm and we all need to be there in number to support our lads. Good luck boys!

The squad to play Nondies: Daniel Kiptoo, Kevin Ndaga, Ferdinand Ngaira, Lewis Olaka, Edward Kinyany (Capt), Ken Osinde, Tony Mutai, Enos Otieno, Njuki Kamundia, Jude Thumbi, Victor Sudi, Charles Cardovillis, Peter Abuoga, Sidney Ashioya, Julius Abwanzo.
Reserves: Joel Nganga, Vincent Ongera, Felix Ochieng, Amos Agiro, Dennis Keya, Evans Onyango.

Meanwhile the seconds will be at home in the return leg of their ESS quarterfinal game. Victory at all costs is essential to wrap up this encounter, as any slip up will see us out of the ESS as it is now in its knockout stages. Lets give the seconds our support before heading to Jamhuri Park. All the best lads! Game is at 3pm.

MEMBERSHIP:
As the club is very active this month, we request members to pay their subscriptions in order to help finance and support the activities of the club. June was indeed a busy month and in July we shall be playing Mombasa RFC at the coast in an Enterprise Cup game quarterfinal game. Please support the efforts of the club.

Please reach out to as many Friends of Quins (FOQ) as possible and if there are contacts of people out there young and old and with Quins at heart please let us have their contacts as well.

Tonite, Saturday and Sunday for those not named in the team its QUINDAY as usual so see you there.

The 2006 membership drive continues.

20.Vincent Rariewa - Superior
19.Eliud Siganga - Superior
18.Sammy Okaro - Strong
17.Daag Ham Onsando - Superior
16.William Mudavadi - Superior
15.Thomas Odundo - Superior
14.Herbert Mwachiro - Superior
13.Sammy Muraya - Superior
12.Geoff Anampiu - Strong
11.Gordon Anampiu - Superior
10.Gabriel Ouko - Superior
9.Philip Jalango - Superior
8.Rodrigues Orawo - Superior
7.Aidan Moore - Superior
6.Ralph Nzomo - Superior
5.James Absaloms Juma - Superior
4.Ken Muli - Superior
3.Andrew Kimani - Superior
2.Dominique Dimba - Superior
1.Esther W Nganga - Strong