Kenya Harlequins coach Paul Murunga targets a top-two fi nish in the Kenya Cup group phase to secure a home semifinal playoff.
Murunga believes his charges have learnt their lessons from last year’s heartbreak.
He has a better quality squad, which he has tipped to challenge champions Kabras and KCB.
“We are looking at getting a home semifinal, meaning we have to finish in the top two. We had a rigorous pre-season and the players are up to the challenge,” Murunga said.
“We have strengthened our facets of play. If you look at our set piece, both the scrum and line out as well as our defence, we have sharpened those areas to give ourselves a fighting chance.”
They made a slow start to the match but the introduction of playmaker Lucky Dewald and Simbas’ international Paul Mutsami from the bench turned the tide as they accumulated maximum points (five).
“We had a slow start so we brought in Lucky and Mutsami, who gave good forward balls and we are able to win the gain line to put the match to bed in the second half,” added Murunga.
Mwamba struck first through Jonah Mbari’s try and Dennis Ndayala’s conversion but Quins levelled matters through skipper Sheldon Kahi’s touchdown with Allan Odiyo adding the conversion to tie the match at 7-7.
The visitors went ahead for the second time as Ishmael Mokaya sliced through Quins’ defence for a try with Ndayala converting for 14-7.
Lock Paul Matani and Charles Kinyanjui touched down to put Quins 17-14 ahead at the interval.
On resumption, the hosts stepped up a gear with Mike Mugo, Charlton Mokua, Ben Onyango and Leonard Fogang scoring a try each for Quins.
Mwamba responded with a try but Mokua and Leon Nyang’ scored a try each to close out the scoring. In other results, champions Kabras beat Impala 33-6 while KCB had the highest score of the day with a 90-5 demolition of promoted South Coast Pirates as Menengai Oilers thrashed Kisumu RFC 78-13.
Nondies
beat Strathmore 22-16 while Blak Blad overpowered Nakuru 27-5.
