Impala Saracens beat Impala Leos 30-24 in a midweek Kenya Cup match played at the Impala Grounds on Wednesday, August 10.
This being their third victory, it made the Leos miss a chance to secure the remaining two semi-final slots. Edmund Anya went over the whitewash to score a center post-converted try, making Impala lead with 7-0.
Minutes later, the Leos leveled the scores as they landed a corner post try, with Kenya U20 International Andrew Matoka slicing the uprights for 7-7.
Impala’s counter ruck efforts saw them add an additional seven points when the ball was sent wide to find a fast Anya who raced down 40M to land his brace.
Impala capitalized on their numerical advantage after the Leos were reduced to 14 men for an infringement, opting for the three points that saw them take the 15-12 lead at the breather.
The second half kicked off with a second penalty kick by Impala extending their lead to 18-12.
However, the Leos crossed the whitewash for their third try. A successful conversion put the University side 19-18 up.
Strathmore’s attempt at kicking for territory was charged down, and Impala’s flyhalf Johnson Waiganjo grounded the ball and converted, giving his team a six-point lead.
Impala’s backline and ball-in-hand skills came into play resulting in Israel Soi going over the whitewash for their bonus point try, the conversion drifted wide.
The Leos’ coach Oscar Kisia attributed the loss to his side giving away easy early tries.
“The match was okay, and the boys were ready for it. However, we gave away easy tries in the game which Impala capitalized on to punish us. Our eyes were also set on the upcoming match against the Oilers,” stated Kisia.
Impala secured five points from this match to fifth in the 11-team league on 16 points. They are two points behind the Leos, who have risen to third place and pushed Menengai Oilers, one Place down to the fourth spot on 17 points.