Strathmore demolish USIU in KUSA Inter Varsity Rugby final

Strathmore University hammered USIU 34-3 to lift the KUSA Inter University title at KCB's Lion's den in Ruaraka. Strathmore who scraped through their semi final against University of Nairobi seemed to have rediscovered their form as they took control of the game from early on and camped in the USIU 22 almost throughout the entire game.

Kenya Sevens flyer Mike Wanjala was in top form, drilling in three tries, with Kenya fifteens 8th man Brian Okwomi and Eric Kitheka landing one try each. Strathmore's dominance was most clear in the second half as they ran numerous phases uninterrupted with USIU forced to watch helplessly. Kenny Andola added two penalties and one conversion, as USIU and Kenya fifteens fly half Isaac Adimo drilled in a single penalty to leave the final score at 34-3.

Both teams called in players that had been away with the Kenya Fifteens team in Dubai for the Emirates Cup of Nations. The Kenya team arrived in Nairobi on Saturday morning. Strathmore called in Brian Okwomi, and Kenny Andola while USIU called in Isaac Adimo, Curtis Lilako and Allan Omuka for their respective quarter final games. Omuka however got injured in USIU's fixture against Nazarene hence pulled out. Adimo's presence was most noticeable in the final as he tried relentlessly to raise his team but they were overpowered by a well oiled Strathmore team.

Earlier on Kenyatta University beat University of Nairobi 6-5 in the 3rd/4th place play off. The two teams had threatened to boycott the game, citing poor officiating in the semi finals. Their efforts to have the games replayed were quashed by the tournament organizers as the rules of the tournament do not allow the reversal of results. Both games ended in controversy as University of Nairobi players confronted and threatened to beat up referee Vincent Chweya. Kenyatta University had numerous brawls in their game against USIU.

Strathmore's coach Paul Odera was excited at the title win and attributed it to team work. “ We worked as a team and it paid off as we ran many phases successfully. We were also quite strong at the breakdowns and this proved vital in securing possession.”

USIU coach Amos Agiro was pleased with his team's show in the tournament despite the heavy loss in the final. “We have trained long and hard, and we've come from really far. The team has a lot of potential and hopefully we can exploit it come next year.” 

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