Oilers target back-to-back Floodlit glory

Menengai Oilers aim to defend their Impala Floodlit title when they take on Nondescripts in Saturday’s final at the Impala Club.

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The Nakuru-based side cruised into their second successive Floodlit final in dominant fashion, defeating KU Blak Blad 42-21 in the semi-finals.

The tournament’s climax also doubles as a curtain-raiser for the upcoming Kenya Cup 15s season, giving teams an ideal opportunity to fine-tune tactics and combinations ahead of the campaign.

Oilers enter the decider full of confidence, having captured their maiden Floodlit crown last year with a commanding 42-3 demolition of hosts Impala.

In the semi-final clash, Timothy Okwemba opened the scoring for the defending champions with an unconverted try before Enock Oduor reduced the deficit with a penalty.

Samwel Were extended Oilers’ lead with a second try, though Oduor’s accuracy from the tee kept Blak Blad within reach at 10-6.

Victor Arego then crossed and converted his own try to make it 17-6, and Elkens Musonye added another before halftime to hand Oilers a 24-6 lead.

Blak Blad struck back with a late penalty before the break and two tries early in the second half, but Oilers’ clinical finishing proved decisive as they added three more tries and a penalty to seal a 42-21 win.

Their path to the semi-finals had already demonstrated their mettle, having edged heavyweights KCB Rugby 16-13 in a tense quarter-final. Blak Blad reached the last four after overpowering Kenya Harlequins 35-13.

Head coach Gibson Weru said the Floodlit tournament provided a vital test of his squad’s readiness for the new season.

“This being a pre-season tournament, we are looking at our tactical strategies, set pieces, defensive alignment, and cohesion,” said Weru. “We

played in the final last year, losing to Kabras by a point. Now we must go all out to win the title.”

Oilers have twice fallen to Kabras Sugar in Kenya Cup finals—34-28 in 2022 and 27-26 in the 2024/25 season—and are keen to build momentum for another title charge.

In the other semi-final, Nondies edged hosts Impala 25-19 in a spirited display that avenged their 9-6 defeat at the same stage last year.