Week 6: Five weekends later

It’s the sixth week into the Kenya Cup, I stifle at the thought that somehow the season seems to be on a slow gear. At the same length, when I recall that’s its now kedo five weeks since I last posted on the blog, my nerves sort of cringe inside. You would assume my mojo, or rather, the knack I had for spewing my thoughts on the action at the turf, is on a slow death.

I thought so too, until I decided to weigh in the realities of life, brethren, the things we do for bread out there…

The site is back, assuming I took a sabbatical leave from the blogosphere.

The Stats so far

At five weekends, KCB slipped off of the top of things to second, changing roles with one from the Ngong Road pair.  Sportpesa Quins went top spot after a rampaging victory over Impala, the latter stuck at third. The defending champs are at the same gas pedal level they were last season, a time like this. I didn’t go opening files but I know, a time like this last season, Kabras were ‘Mid-Tablers’; they are near the mid now just a position better. But a job well done to holding down KCB last weekend to a 15-15 draw, the match must have been an edge puller. Interesting to note that, at the same stage last year-Match day 5- KCB walloped Kabras 40-15.

It has been a stained start for Strathmore Leos this season, hugely cultivated by the exit of some key players earlier in the year. They lie a dreaded, distant 13th-second from the bottom, being a campus outfit I would relatively understand the liabilities that come with transition from an outgoing lineup to a new one. Things generally don’t mix and match as quickly as you would wish.

My Kulabu lie seventh, a few points better than their favorite eighth, Top Fry Nakuru hold sixth in what is termed as to be their worst season ever so far, with sections attributing their performance to the exit of Coach  Habimana. The Red Lions, Nondies, are eighth and level with their bitter rival, Blakblad who are at ninth, Western Bulls tenth.

Impala-Quins banter match up

It is just five weekends so far, the positions are not permanent but bound for changes. Before we proceed to week 6, revisiting action at week 5 is paramount and first off the list is the ‘Notorious’ Ngong Road Derby.

 

Quins-Impala action

The pre-game Banter was all over ahead of this match, Impala threw a spade, Quins would rally with a sledge hammer; Quins would try a stone, Impala would respond with a rock. The social media platforms were waaay hype for a whole week. I think Impala had the best shot at this ‘tag-of-war’ banter, I mean a Kulabu guy hardly supports Quins, let me be!

Come game day the results were a pale shadow of a side that just a few weeks back had thwarted KCB to lift the Floodies cup. 28-10 was the full time score, I expected anything closer than that score line. But trying to relate the results to what I see in football, sigh, Arsenal unknowingly looses to Man U even when they are in form. Derbies though, mkiolewa mnaoleka tu…

 

At the end of it all, Impala won the pre-game banter, Quins won the game itself. Draw? No?! Okay.

On to Week Six 

Match Day six is nigh, and teams are hell bent to head into the season’s holiday break on a high. Also, at the Bench, I am hell bent to give my two cents on Week six clashes on who will reign this coming weekend.

Mwamba vs Top Fry Nakuru

After last weekend’s costume fixture against Mean Machine, we can only wait to see what Mwamba RC are plotting for this weekend. Maybe a barbecue side event, because mafuta ya Top Fry… but instead its a farming experience!

Last these two met, at Match Day 14 2015/16 season, Nakuru, the host then, had a 34-6 win over Mwamba. But with the much closeness they share on the standings now, the host will be fighting to go up while Nakuru will have to win to regroup its huge fan base who are throwing questions about the team this season. Also, interesting to watch would be the seasoned winger Collins Injera, if he will be drafted, playing at fly-half position.

This is the type of clash I would not favor a city club, no love lost though for Kulabu, but Nakuru would seem to walk away with a win here (+5)

Nondescripts vs Resolution Impala Saracens

It has always been a one-way traffic in this fixture, always in favor of Impala. Last encounter, Match Day 18, Impala 63-8 Nondies. And week 6 would have seen such liely action…

But then news rolled in that the Red Lions have lost a seasoned Center, Ogeto Gacheo… A stalwart of his time, sustained a spinal injury at match Day 5 and succumbed hours later after a successful operation.

It is with a heavy heart that I would wish to pass my condolences to the family of the late Gacheo, the closest of friends and the distant ones, his club Nondescripts RFC and his ardent fans. May he find great solace in the worlds beyond.

Subsequent to that, the next two fixtures for the Nondies game week 6 & 7 have been postponed in favor of Gacheo’s befitting send-off. There will be however a  Touch tourney at  Jamhuri Grounds on the 9th of December, in honor of the late thereafter a fundraiser at Red Lion’s Club. Kindly do find your way and trot down to the two venues for Gacheo.

Rest In Peace Gacheo!

 

Mean Machine vs Kabras Sugar

After surviving a season’s shocker in Week 1, Kabras will be visitors to Mean Machine looking to affirm the narrow 14-13 win at Kakamega Show Grounds. The hosts, Machine, are out to tell Kabrasians it wasn’t by luck but sheer will.

Will the Eschuma pull a close one? Lying 12th with a single point coupled by last week’s lose to Mwamba, it will be a toll order. They might have a chance though, should they peg their inspiration from the opening round performance against Kabras.

A draw against KCB must have derailed the defending champs on their campaign, and they should not risk a loss this weekend lest they fall far off the leading log. A win is a win, right? But not the sort recorded against Machine in Round one. Being defending champs something was amiss in that match.

…Kabras wins +7

In other clashes…

These other clashes of the weekend are pretty much a one-sided affair on paper, it wouldn’t do much to have a break down on the three remaining clashes;

Western Bulls vs KCB (KCB Win +20)

Blakblad vs Sportpesa Harlequins (Quins way +12)

Strathmore Leos vs Menengai Cream Homeboyz (HBR Win +8)

I would have also mentioned about the Kenya 7s and the recent Dubai debacle but let them have their way, its a new order at the helm of things in the team, at least some breathing space as we ‘season our chocking ropes’ when they start giving less of the bargain. For now we hope Capetown should be better!

#TwendeGameTujengeGame