Rugby Super Series: Buffaloes bounce back to keep title bid alive

Cheetahs and Buffaloes players in action during their Rugby Super Series match at RFUEA Grounds last weekend. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Buffaloes defeated Rhinos 27-21 in the second match to show their seriousness of reaching the finals of Rugby Super Series at Nakuru Athletic Club on Saturday.

Both teams started the match on a high note but it was the Rhinos who touched down first through John Aswani who plays for Strathmore Leos with Kevin Asena making the conversion.

Buffaloes replied through Kabras Sugar's Griffin Cheo and thereafter Erick Cantona made the conversion to make the score 7-7 in the 19th minute.

After that, it was a see-saw match that flowed from one half of the pitch to the other with Buffaloes dictating most of the times with ball possessions.

Buffaloes increased the tally with a try pushed from a scrummage at the far-left- of the pitch through Cantona to make it 12-7.

Thereafter, Buffaloes added three more tries and a conversion to sum up the day from their man of the match Cantona, Gabriel Adera and Cheo. 

On their part, Hermon Wamalwa of Harlequins scored three penalties that reduced the deficits for Rhinos who still have a match against Cheetahs next Saturday in Kakamega.

Buffaloes coach Max Adaka was happy not to have played on a swampy pitch like the previous weekend when they were mauled 15-5 by the Cheetahs. 

"It was a good game played on a stable pitch, which made us win vital points. We are determined to reach the finals," said Adaka.

His Rhinos counterpart Oliver Callum was a disappointed man after the loss.

"It has been unfortunate for this loss after my players were frustrated in the match," he said.