Kenya Cup: Kabras too sweet for bankers again

Kabras Sugar RFC players celebrate with their Kenya Cup trophy after beating KCB Rugby Club in the final at Kakamega Showground. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Kabras Sugar RFC are the 2024 Kenya Cup champions.

Kabras were crowned champions for a third season running after thrashing their archrivals KCB 29-5 in a Kenya Cup final played at a fully-packed Moi Showgrounds, Kakamega.

Kenya Sevens stars Kevin Wekesa and Brian Tanga scored the important tries for the Millers with Walter Okoth and South African fly-half Ntabeni Dukisa playing a crucial role in sealing the win.

The hosts got off the blocks first, breaking the deadlock inside the opening five minutes when Walter Okoth split the KCB defence to touch down between the posts for a 7-0 lead after Ntabeni Dukisa's conversion.

Two minutes after the restart, Dukisa was at it again with his kicking speciality, sending a 35-yard penalty kick between the posts for a 10-0 lead.

Kabras Sugar RFC players celebrate with their Kenya Cup trophy after beating KCB Rugby Club in the final at Kakamega Showground. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Moments later, Kabras returned to haunt KCB again and this time it was Shujaa star Kevin Wekesa who benefited off an intelligent kick and chased the ball from Dukisa.

The ball which was heading for the right corner dummied the chasing KCB defence after bouncing right in front of Wekesa who easily grounded the miller's second try for a 15-0 lead with Dukisa missing the extras this time round.

Pushed by the over 5000 thousand fans singing and dancing to traditional Isikuti songs, Kabras were in rhythm on the field and with the added third power from their fans. Dukisa then slotted in their third try for a 22-0 after converting his own try.

Seeking redemption, KCB had to turn to Shujaa captain Vincent Onyala who after being kept silent for the better part of the half-hour exploded on the left wing to ground the banker's first try to trail 22-5 at halftime after a missed conversion.

In the final half, KCB returned with more hunger but was met with a tight defensive set-up composed of captain George Nyambua, Gabriel Odero, Edward Mwaura and Asuman Mugerwa who were ready to put their bodies on the line for the sugarmen.

After 30 minutes of kicking and defending, another Shujaa star Brian Tanga demonstrated his quick thinking capabilities after a quick tap and go from a penalty saw the scrumhalf seal the win with a try that was converted by Dukisa for a 29-5 win.

Kabras Sugar have now won the Kenya Cup for the fourth time including an unbeaten record for the second season running.