First match win of the day ensured Black lion secured their second Aberdeen Shikoyi Champions Cup triumph despite being edged out by Chui in the last match of day at RFUEA grounds on 26th may 2019.
Black lion side have built their success this term on starting with a rapid tempo but they found themselves having to cling on as Chui took them to the wire.
TEMBO 0-19 BLACK LION
Black lion looked set to romp to victory when they ran in early tries in their first match against Tembo. The rampaging Black lion forwards made things difficult for Tembo as they enabled their backs to launch attacks on Tembo by attracting in more defenders ,creating more space for their backs to run.
Janet Okello was unstoppable as she found a hole in Tembo defence to score the opening try for Black lion in the 17th minute. Philadelphia Orlando converted. They added a second try in the 22nd minute when Philadelphia Orlando burst forward from Tembo 22 to score again for Black lion. The wet condition made things difficult for Tembo , as they were unable to display their handling skills and running rugby.
A knock on, on the 40th minute from Tembo, with space opening up out wide, Philadelphia rampaged down the left – taking Fresha Awino and Maureen Njoki as she went – before offloading to Celestine Masinde to run in unopposed.
Philadelphia’s conversion effectively sealed the victory for Black lion.
TEMBO 0-7 CHUI
Chui were favoured to win this encounter but were forced to sweat for it by a flamboyant Tembo side. Tembo were passing the ball about with astounding composure, as almost every pass found its way into a pair of grateful hands. Tembo were playing to their own tune and an upset seem in the offing.
As impressive as Tembo were playing, a defensive Chui ensured they did not generate it into points. A well worked out set piece play by Chui in the 17th minute saw them grind till the five-meter line of Tembo, presenting them with a chance to strike, Leah Njogu arrived at the perfect moment to crash over, with Janet Awino converting for what would be the only scores of the game.
CHUI 10-0 BLACK LION
The pick game of the day lived to its expectation. Both sides named line-ups befitting the occasion, with Chui fielding all six of their Kenya 7s players while Philadelphia Olando, Janet Okello, and Celestine Masinde started for Black Lion.
Black lion started well with a dominant display from their forwards getting them deep into Chui territory where they camped for the better part of the game.
A line-out error from Black lion on Chui’s 22 Meter line, saw Chui set up an attacking platform, with Irene Otieno -Chui scrum half – dumping a perfect grubber kick behind Black lions back three for Christabel Lindo to gallop onto.
With Black lion still scrambling back into covering positions, all that was left for the Kenyan winger was to beat the last defender and put Chui in the lead.
Naomi Amuguni performed a heroic tackle preventing the winger from scoring but was deemed to be a dangerous tackle and a penalty try awarded to Chui.
The intensity that had been missing from Chui in the early stages of the game was there in abundance after the penalty try, setting up a tense final quarter – hour between the two sides.
Black lions hopes of winning the game were dashed when Ann Njeri found the target with a drop goal that gave Chui a decisive score in the 35th minute securing the 10-0 win.
Photos: Emmanuel Ahenda Orlale.
