Kenya Cup losing semi-finalists Menengai Oilers recovered from their painful end to the topflight campaign with a 48-22 thrashing of Zetech University Oaks in the opening match of the Mwamba Cup at Nakuru Showground on Saturday evening.
Menengai were in no mood to pally around, racing to a 7-0 lead within minutes of the start of the game, courtesy of a converted try by Sheldon Wanjala.
Ian Omoke soon lived up to his surname, lighting up the mood with another try, jumping over the white line to make it 14-0 in favour of the hosts.
An Amos Onyikwa uncoverted try to make it 19-0 seemed as if it was going to be an unforgettable day in the office for the students who recollected themselves to reduce the deficit to 19-7 a few minutes later.
The students seemed buoyed by the turn of events and poured forward in search of more tries, and were duly rewarded with another one to bring the scores to 19-12.
However, a last-minute try by Abutwalib ‘Songi’ Wesonga ensured that Menengai would be heading to the dressing room at halftime with all the momentum at 26-12 in their favour.
The second half began with Gibson Weru’s charges breathing brimstone and fire as Onyikwa turned up with his second try to give his side a commanding 31-12 lead.
Dennis Abukuse then scored another try to make it 38-22 before Kevin Mukoyani scored an unconverted try to make it 43-22 and extend his team’s lead.
Abukuse scored another last-minute try to make it 48-22 and with that, get his side off to a great start in the tournament.
The oilers will be hoping for better fortunes in the Mwamba Cup as well as Enterprise Cup following their disappointment in the Kenya Cup playoffs where they fell to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in the semis.
