Kenya Cup defending champions Kabras Sugar RFC confirmed their intent to reclaim their title with a morale-boosting 31-23 win over bitter rivals Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in a top tie held at the Den on Saturday afternoon.
Going into the penultimate tie of the Kenya Cup, it was always expected to be a nail-biting contest as the bankers, buoyed by their 52-15 win over last year’s losing finalists Menengai Oilers, were seeking to gain their pound of flesh.
However, it seemed as if Kabras would wreck havoc at the Den as they raced to a 16-0 lead in the first half hour, courtesy of a Jone Kubu try as well as two penalties by South African Ntabeni Dukisa.
The bankers however regained their composure and hauled themselves back into the game, going into the interval 10-16 down thanks to a Samuel Asati’s converted try and a Darwin Mukidza penalty.
KCB came back roaring in the second half and were soon rewarded with a Curtis Lilako try, which took KCB into the lead for the first time.
It was not long before Dukisa restored Kabras’ dominance in the tie, converting a penalty to bring the scores to 19-17 in favour of the millers.
The bankers were not about to be humiliated at their home ground and soon regained the lead at 23-19 thanks to two penalties in succession by Mukidza.
That was not the end of the seesaw drama though as Kubu came to the rescue of his team, putting the ball over the whitewash to put Kabras into the lead at 24-23.
Another converted try by Kubu in the dying embers of the game ensured that the millers will be travelling back to Kakamega with all the bragging rights.
In the Eric Shirley Shield, KCB II beat Kabras Sugar 17-13 at the same venue.