By Michael Kwambo

The 2011/2012 Kenya Cup season enters its twelfth match day on Saturday 25 February 2012 which is set to be as action packed as previous match days. The sides currently occupying the top four slots face each other in matches that could see yet another reorganization of the leading pack at the close of Saturday’s business.

Strathmore Leos (3) v KCB (1)

Third placed Strathmore Leos (33 points)  host current leaders KCB (34 points). Besides the fact that these two sides are only separated by a solitary point, there is little else to differentiate the two sides. The Leos had their five match winning streak snapped last weekend when they succumbed to a 13-8 away defeat at the hands of Impala RFC. Paul Odera’s charges will be out to avenge the 14-10 defeat they suffered to KCB in the first leg.

KCB returned to the top of the table after grinding out a 6-3 win over Homeboyz RFC on match day eleven. Aware of the fact that only a point separates them from two other sides placed second and third, the bankers will go into this tie  looking to complete the double over their hosts by registering a win that will probably see them stay top, depending on the outcomes of other league fixtures on the day.

Nakuru RFC (2) v Mwamba RFC (4)

Second placed Nakuru RFC host fourth placed Mwamba RFC in what should be a cracker of a game at the Nakuru Athletic Club. Nakuru are unbeaten in their three home fixtures to date, boasting a 100% record. Just a point adrift of leaders KCB and scenting the Kenya Cup’s pole position, Nakuru will come into this match seeking to overturn the 18-15 first leg loss to their hosts who have spent plenty of time atop the league table.

Mwamba’s loss to Nondies on match day eleven saw them slip from second to fourth and require a win to stay in touch with the leading trio as they continue on their quest for a first Kenya Cup title since 1984. 

Homeboyz RFC(10)  v Lunch Bar Quins (5)

Currently placed last in the league standings, Homeboyz RFC host fifth placed Lunch Bar Quins at the RFUEA . The Eric Shirley Shield champions have displayed grit in their last two outings, leading Impala 15-12 on match day ten before falling to a 15-30 defeat. They would restrict KCB, falling  6-3 to the bankers on match day eleven and will be hoping to build on the positives from these two encounters by registering a second Kenya Cup win over a Lunch Bar Quins side that they defeated 12-5 on Saturday 10 December 2011.

Quins have since regrouped from that result. They are enjoying a good run of form, having won five matches on the trot , and with two matches in hand, they are just four points off the Kenya Cup summit heading into Saturday’s fixture. They are will be motivated by this and the quest to avenge the first leg loss to their hosts at the same venue as they maintain their charge towards another successful league defense.

Nondescript RUFC (7) v Impala RFC (6)

Two sides that are currently experiencing mixed fortunes face up on Saturday in what should be  yet another entertaining fixture. Nondies dominated Mwamba last weekend, registering a 23-12 bonus point win over their hosts and now have to contend with the challenge of Impala RFC who were 13-8 winners over the Strathmore Leos.

Mean Machine RFC (8) v Kisumu RFC (9)

Machine’s recent good run of form was brought to a halt at the RFUEA Grounds on match day eleven when they capitulated to a 42-0 defeat at the hands of Lunch Bar Quins. They will look to bounce back against a Kisumu RFC side that picked a bonus point off them courtesy of a 32-5 first leg on Saturday 10 December 2011.  Kisumu have struggled away from home but will probably be driven by the psychological boost obtained from the first leg result against their hosts.

Action continues in the Eric Shirley Shield, Nationwide and Universities leagues too.

Collated Fixtures

Saturday 25 February 2012

KENYA CUP (Kick Off 4.30pm)

Strathmore Leos v KCB

Nakuru RFC v Mwamba RFC

Homeboyz RFC v Lunch Bar Quins

Nondies v Impala

Mean Machine v Kisumu

ERIC SHIRLEY SHIELD (Kick Off 3.00pm)

Strathmore II v KCB II

Nakuru II v Mwamba II

Homeboyz II v Quins II

Nondies II v Impala II

Machine II v Western Bulls II


NATIONWIDE WEST

Moi Uni v Kisumu II

Kisii v Masinde Muliro

Bungoma v Maseno

Eldoret v Webuye

Siaya v Kakamega

NATIONWIDE EAST

Mombasa Poly v USIU

Pwani v Spartans

JKUAT v Mombasa

KCA v Blak Blad

UNIVERSITIES

Nazarene v Blad II

Daystar v Catholic

Egerton v Kenya Poly

Comras v Thika

Kabarak v KeMU

MultiMedia v Kimathi