KCB Rugby had to withstand a spirited late fightback from Daystar Falcons to secure a 15-12 victory and book their place in the Main Cup final of the SportPesa National 7s Circuit Embu 7s.
The bankers looked to be in control for long periods after building a 10-0 lead in the first half and extending their advantage after the restart. However, a resilient Daystar Falcons side refused to go away and pushed KCB all the way to the final whistle in an entertaining semi-final encounter.
KCB made a strong start and were the first side to get on the scoreboard through Austin Sikutwa. The KCB player found his way over the try line to hand the bankers an early 5-0 lead, although Brian Wahinya was unable to add the extras.
The bankers continued to press, moving the ball well and stretching the Daystar defence. Their pressure eventually paid off when a long cut-out pass found Nygel Amaitsa out wide. Amaitsa made no mistake, finishing the move with a well-taken try to extend KCB’s lead to 10-0.
Wahinya was again unsuccessful with the conversion attempt, but KCB appeared to have taken control of the contest.
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Just when it looked like Daystar Falcons would head into the break scoreless, they were handed a lifeline in the closing seconds of the first half.
Arnold Ogonda read the play perfectly and intercepted the ball before slicing through the KCB defensive line to touch down. The successful conversion reduced the deficit to 10-7 and gave the Falcons renewed belief heading into the second half.
KCB, however, came out strongly after the restart and struck almost immediately. Elvis Olukusi crossed the whitewash for another KCB try, stretching their advantage to 15-7. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Daystar Falcons continued to chase a way back into the match and thought they had found another breakthrough through Lionel, but the move was ruled out after an error in the build-up.
The Falcons did not lose momentum and continued to test the KCB defence.
Ogonda, who had already made a huge impact in the first half, produced another moment of brilliance. He put in a well-weighted kick and gave chase, taking on the KCB defence before eventually touching down despite a close challenge from Samuel Asati.
The try was Ogonda’s second of the semi-final and brought Daystar Falcons within touching distance at 15-12.
With the pressure mounting in the closing stages, KCB were forced to defend their narrow lead against a determined Falcons side that kept pushing for the match-winning score.
However, the bankers showed their experience and composure, holding firm in the final exchanges to see out the contest and secure a hard-fought 15-12 victory.
The result sends KCB Rugby into the Embu 7s Main Cup final, where they will have the opportunity to fight for the title after surviving one of the most competitive semi-final clashes of the tournament.
For Daystar Falcons, it was a heartbreaking end to an impressive run, with Ogonda’s two tries almost inspiring a remarkable comeback before KCB shut the door in the closing moments.