Two Impala ‘Floodies’ matches rescheduled due to power failure

• Only two of the scheduled four quarter final matches were played
• The last two were postponed to Wednesday due to power failure
• Organisers have said entry for the Wednesday matches will be free

Two matches at the Impala Floodlit Tournament will be played on Wednesday after they were called off on Saturday due to malfunctioning lights at the Impala Club.

The Nondies vs Impala match, which was the third quarter final, was called off at halftime, with the former leading 15-0. The game will now be replayed for the second half, while the tie pitting defending champions KCB and Kenya Harlequin will be the late kick off.

“We would like express our sincere apologies to fans, teams, team managements, suppliers and sponsors for the inconveniences caused due to the postponement of matches. Assessment and calibration works have already been done on the flood lights to ensure that such failures do not occur in future,” said a statement signed by Impala Rugby Club chairman, Charles Ngovi and Impala Floodlit organising committee chairman, Daniel Ndaba.

Free entry for the two games

The first game starts at 5pm, with organizers announcing entry to the two games will be free of charge.

Kenyatta University’s Blakblad had edged out fellow Varsity side Strathmore Leos 22-19 to qualify for the semi finals while Menengai Oilers had walked over Nakuru RFC 26-13 in the Nakuru derby.

In the first game of the tournament, Blad rallied from trailing 13-7 at the break to pick the win, though nervy at the end.

Branson Madigu converted Collins Maina’s try after curling over two penalties to give Strathmore Leos a 13-7 lead at the break. Blakblad’s score came off an Archadius Kwesa try with Lionel Aleliti converting.

Forwards Ian Obukwa and Nick Okulo’s tries turned the fortunes for Blak Blad in the second half, but it was Aleliti’s conversion and penalty that sealed the slim victory for Blak Blad.

Meanwhile, Oilers, who reached the final when the event was played last in 2019, finished their work in the first half when they scored all their four tries and three conversions The Oilers led 26-6 at the break before holding off Nakuru in the second session to advance.

Oilers off to a flying start

Tries from former Impala man Mark Kwemoi, Davis Otundo, Crispin Shitundo and Hillary Malweyi with Abutwalib Wesonga converting saw Oilers stamp their authority.

Nakuru gave a fight in the second half with Barry Opondo going over and Philip Okeyo converting, but it was too little too late.

They will now face off with BlakBlad in the semis.

Elsewhere, There were two matches played in the Victoria 15s quarterfinals in Kakamega.  Masinde Muliro and Kabras Sugar joined Kisumu and Western Bulls in the semifinals after winning their encounters.

Masinde Muliro were 51-0 winners over Eldoret while Kabras Sugar defeated Mbale 46-0.

Collated Results

Impala Floodlit Quarters

Blak Blad 22 Strathmore Leos 19

Menengai Oilers 26 Nakuru 13

Nondescripts 15 Impala 0 (suspended at halftime)

KCB v Kenya Harlequin (postponed to Wednesday)

Victoria 15s

Quarterfinals

Kabras Sugar 46 Mbale 0

Kisumu v Kisii (Walkover to Kisumu)

Masinde Muliro 51 Eldoret 0

Western Bulls v University of Eldoret (Walkover to Western Bulls)