Kabras, KCB and Oilers set early pace as Kenya Cup action returns

 Defending champions Kabras Sugar started off the new season with a convincing win against Catholic Monks that once more put them among the title favourites.

A first half master class from the Lurambi boys afforded them a healthy score line which despite the Monks late rally, could not be overturned.

Head coach Carlos Katywa outlined his 5-year plan at the Kakamega-based side, saying he was looking to build a bigger squad with a perfect blend of experience and youth.

In their Second half against the Monks, Katywa gave six young players their Kenya Cup debut and despite them making simple mistakes, Katywa was convinced that they would do well with time.

“With the youngsters who will be still part of the set up; those will be the youngsters who will be key to the evolution of going forward with the team and the culture that we want to rebuild for Kabras. We are excited with the blend that we currently have,” said Katywa.

His Monks counterpart John Isalambo noted that his team may have been fazed by the prospect of playing the defending champions, but their second half performance showed they had the class to step up and challenge the top sides in the league.  

“We were slow; I believe we have a young squad, some of the guys got stage fright as you would expect but as the game progressed especially in the second half they were able to calm down and just play,” Isalambo assessed.

There were big wins for Kenya cup’s top sides as last season’s runners up Menengai Oilers hammered Mean Machine 72–6 at the Nakuru Showground, the biggest win margin of Match day one.

The newly promoted Mean Machine could not match up with the Oilers, as Gibson Weru’s side took a 41-6 lead going into half time and followed that up with a commanding 31 unanswered points in the second half.

KCB showed sheer class as they outclassed Kenya Harlequin 38-0 at the Ruaraka grounds as they kept pace with their potential play off rivals.

KCB Assistant coach Dennis Mwanja was pleased with his charge’s performance but noted there were improvements to be made if they were to return to the force they were few years back.  

“I’m happy for the boys, they really played well today and my hope is that they keep up with the momentum as the season progresses.”

Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad commenced their season with a vital 34-8 win over Nakuru RFC; with Homeboyz edging Mwamba 19-13 in an enticing match played at the RFUEA grounds here in Nairobi.

Strathmore Leos narrowly edged Masinde Muliro 23-21 to start off the season with a crucial win.