Action between Kisii Rugby and Mean Machine at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho/ANGWENYI GICHANA

After suffering their first loss of the season, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Cougars coach Smith Muhoya says his side will refocus and come back stronger in their two remaining matches.

On Saturday, Kisii Rugby inflicted the Cougars’ first defeat of the campaign with a 22–12 victory at Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho.
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Muhoya said the loss could serve as a timely wake-up call for the team.
“Every cloud has a silver lining. We were on a high and this loss brings us down. We haven’t lost a 15s game since last season’s quarter-final against Zetech Oaks. It’s like the boys had forgotten the pain of losing and let things slip against Kisii,” said Muhoya.
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He added that the team remains on course to secure a home semi-final slot.
“The plan remains the same — to secure a home semi-final slot. We have two matches left and we are targeting a strong finish to the regular season,” said the tactician.
Reflecting on the match against Kisii Rugby, Muhoya admitted it was neither the right time nor the right manner to lose.
“We played poorly. We didn’t manage the game and allowed it to become chaotic. Our indiscipline cost us and at one point we had 13 players on the field,” he said.
A frustrated Muhoya added that repeated mistakes prevented the Cougars from getting back into the contest.
“Every time we tried to get ourselves back into the game and on the scoreboard, we shot ourselves in the foot again. Uncharacteristic errors from some players led to the poor performance,” he said.
Kisii Rugby assistant coach George Sagini said his side deserved the victory.
“Our game plan worked. Our defence was solid and we managed to counter their big forwards. We utilised our chances, especially from penalties. They got a red card, which made things easier for us, particularly in the second half,” said Sagini.
He said the team has now shifted focus to their next match against Zetech Oaks.
“This week we shall work on sharpening our skills as we target a bonus-point win against Zetech Oaks,” said Sagini.
Following the defeat, JKUAT Cougars dropped to second place on the KRU Championship table after Mwamba Rugby reclaimed the top spot with a commanding 45–13 win over relegation-threatened Zetech University Oaks.
Mwamba lead the standings with 36 points, while JKUAT Cougars sit second on 34.
Former Kenya Cup side South Coast Pirates moved up to third place with 34 points after beating Catholic Monks 25–18 at Seacrest School in Diani, Kwale County. Catholic Monks are fourth with 32 points.
In other matches, NYS Spades remained in the hunt for a playoff spot after thrashing visiting Mombasa United 31–0, while Homeboyz compounded bottom-placed Western Bulls’ struggles with a 27–17 win at the Bull Ring in Kakamega.
USIU remain in danger of relegation after a 39–24 loss to Mean Machine of the University of Nairobi.