Both sides threw in the armoury as they fought the battle at the Lions den. With a light drizzle giving way to a cloudy afternoon, conditions for rugby were perfect on that cold July Saturday afternoon. It was the two number 9’s who took charge of the game as they exchanged 5 penalties between them for a half time score of 9-6 in favour of KCB. The second half began in similar fashion as do or die it seemed with KCB pressuring their way for an unconverted try. Jude Thumbi replied with a massive penalty from the halfway to make it 13-9. As the clock wore down another Thumbi penalty narrowed the score to 13-12 with 10 minutes to go. It was then that the Quins bench threw in the kitchen sink and store as well as the boys piled pressure on KCB. A couple of dubious calls by the ref on both teams did not kill the tension or rugby spirit that prevailed.

Then the moment of the match arrived. With 3 minutes to go Quins were awarded a penalty in the KCB half and Thumbi lined up to kick. Anxiety was in the faces of the good crowd that turned up to watch the game. Jude breathed and kicked the ball towards the posts. The kick had height and direction as the ball flew in the air. The Quins bench started to cheer as the ball seemingly looked like it was going in. A sudden gust of wind appeared and blew the ball towards the posts. The ball hit the inside of the post and moved down and hit the crossbar and did the unbelievable thing by not going over but instead came back to the field of play much to the shock of all. A stunned Quins stood there while an equally shocked KCB did the same before reacting to kick the ball away. Whatever juju that was planted or painted on those posts it surely worked in KCB’s favour. Sustained pressure by Quins continued but it seemed too late as KCB hang on to survive. The final whistle was a crushing blow to Quins as it seemed the title hopes had gone up in smoke. With KCB having a game in hand and tied on points with Quins, it now seems almost mission impossible. Credit to the team however they never gave up till the final whistle.

Man of the Match: The Witchdoctor

Quins: Daniel Kiptoo, Vincent Ongera, Joel Ng’anga (Match Captain), Tony Mutai, Lewis Olaka, Ken Osinde, David Mogere, Leslie Libasia, Jude Thumbi, Joash Odhalo, Victor Sudi, Patrick Onyango, Allan Onyango, Amos Agiro, Ian Simiyu.
Reserves: George Odipo, Eugene Magoma, David Kiprop, Cyrus Omondi, David Gitau, Chris Oduor, Allan Makaka

Coach: Thomas Odundo

Deputy Coach: Edward Kinyany

Team Manager: Allan Khakame

Physio: Omondi Omosh ll

Club Captain: Sidney Ashi Ashioya

Quins have one more game which is still a must win with a bonus for them to clinch the Kenya Cup and hope that other results go their way (i.e. KCB and Impala draw all their remaining games without bonus points). Their opponents standing in the way are Nondies. Let’s go all the way lads and Good Luck.

This Saturday Quins play Nondies away at the Jamhuri Park. Let’s all turn up and give the boys all the necessary support.

Good luck guys, every win counts!

Kenya Cup League (top 3)

Played	Won	Lost	Points
KCB	12	9	3	45
Quins	13	9	4	45
Impala	12	9	3	43

Next games: 4th August 2007

Kenya Cup: Quins vs. Nondies (away)

Quins 2nd XV begin their Mwamba Cup knockout campaign with a home game vs. Strathmore. The two met 3 Saturdays ago in the ESS final. Good Luck lads.

Quote: ‘It’s a New Zealand All Black line-out’ says the ref. ‘Oh no, not again says the New Zealand hooker’ L

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Quins will be looking to tour what has now become their favourite tour destination South Africa in early 2008. The tour committee has been meeting under the able stewardship of Kimani Andrew Kimani (Kimandy) and progress is slowly being made. Various activities have been lined up through out the year. As costs are being finalised by the committee, more information will be rolled out to all.

The theme of the tour ‘QUINS WORLD TOUR 2008’ is the first part of a grand world tour programme that will most likely have its climax in Melbourne, Australia in 2012 all things being equal. This is what is in store for this great club of Kenya Harlequins. So be on the look out for more information on the tour and start putting the dollars aside. This will require one massive effort and all support will be required to make phase 1 of the QUINS WORLD TOUR a success. The larger the tour party, the better the tour. With Quins, rugby tour traditions are maintained.

To want to be part of the organisation or if you have ideas to share please mail to kimani.kariuki@ke.pwc.com or worldtour@quins.co.ke

Tour account now ready to receive contributions: Target Kshs 5 million

Account Name : Kenya Harlequin FC

Bank: Co-operative Bank Ltd

Branch: University Way Branch

Account Number: 0110009603200

MEMBERSHIP:

We request members to pay their subscriptions in order to help finance and support the activities of the club. Please support the efforts of the club.

Only Fully paid up members will be eligible to participate in the AGM.

Categories:

Sure -Kshs 1,000 (Annual only for registered players)

Strong - Kshs 5,000 (Annual)

Superior - Kshs 10,000 (Annual)

Legend - Kshs 100,000 (Life membership)

Exchange rate 1$ = Kshs 66

1STG = Kshs 130

Subect to exchange rates in operation

Please reach out to as many Friends of Quins (FOQ) as possible and if there are contacts of people out there young and old and with Quins at heart please let us have their contacts as well. Membership valid for 12 months. Legends exempt but we can check with them after 10 years.

The 2007 membership drive BEGINS. (For existing members please check renewal dates below on 2006 LIST)

GABRIEL J O OUKO – LEGEND 2006
DUNCAN FRANKLIN – SUPERIOR (HONORARY LONDON HARLEQUIN MEMBER)
RAPHAEL NZOMO – LEGEND 2007
JOEL RICHARD LELEI – STRONG (JAN)
RICHARD NJOBA – SUPERIOR (FEB)
ERIC MURITHI NJAGI - SURE (FEB)
JAMES NGOMELI 'CHIEF EXTERMINATOR' - SUPERIOR (MARCH)
SHEILLA CARDOVILLIS – STRONG (MARCH)
JOB ODUOR-OWINO - SUPERIOR (MARCH)
BENJAMIN ADEYA - SUPERIOR GENERAL (APRIL)
PHILIP JALANGO - SUPERIOR (APRIL)
AUSTIN OTIENO - STRONG (APRIL)
SAMMY MURAYA - SUPERIOR (MAY)
DOMINIC DIMBA – SUPERIOR (APRIL)
JOHN AGGREY ADAMBI – SURE (APRIL)
CAROL RADULL – STRONG (MAY)
AIDAN MOORE - SUPERIOR (APRIL)
ALPHONCE R OGULLA - SUPERIOR (MAY)
TIMOTHY GITHUGU - STRONG (AUGUST)
DAVIES MWAURA MAINA – SUPERIOR (MAY)
MARTIN ARMANDO NDEDA - LEGEND 2007
STEPHEN WANJAU - SUPERIOR (MAY)
GEOFF ANAMPIU - STRONG (MAY)
SAMUEL AYANY - SURE (MAY)
KIMANI KARIUKI - SUPERIOR (MAY)
ELIUD SIGANGA - SUPERIOR (JUNE)
HERBERT MWACHIRO - SUPERIOR (MAY)
THOMAS ODUNDO - SUPERIOR (MAY)
DAVID ABWOGA - SUPERIOR (MAY)
GORDON ANAMPIU - SUPERIOR (MAY)
JAMES ABSALOMS JUMA - SUPERIOR (APRIL)
WILLIAM MUDAVADI - SUPERIOR (MAY)
CHARLES CARDOVILLIS - SURE (JUNE)
SIDNEY ASHIOYA - SURE (JULY)
IAN NAMCOS SIMIYU - SURE (JULY)
VICTOR SIMIYU SUDI - SURE (JULY)
THOMAS KIBUI - STRONG (JULY)
JOHN MORRIS OHAGA - SUPERIOR (JULY)
DAN ORAWO - SURE (JULY)

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