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Why we abandoned the match, Nakuru RFC coach speaks

Nakuru RFC playing against Mwamba at the Nakuru Athletics Club.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

By  PURITY KINUTHIA

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), League and Fixtures Organising Committee has made its decision regarding Nakuru RFC's (Wanyore) decision to walk out during an ongoing match against South Coast Pirates.

According to the committee, South Coast Pirates' 17 points will be upheld as per KRU regulations 13.6.4.6(b)(ii) - Match Abandonment, full points will be awarded to the aggrieved teams while the guilty teams will be docked two points as posted on their website.

In an interview with Nakuru RFC Head Coach, Simon Warioki, he notes that the team was left with no option but to abandon the match due to unfair calls by the match referee.

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This started in the first half of the match, which cost them the chance to build a platform and score points.

"It is very unfortunate that the referee frustrated the player to the extent that we could not take it any more. I have trained my boys a certain way but when it comes to executing on the field, the referee made a series of unfair decisions that cost the team," he lamented.

Warioki goes on to say that KRU should invest more in training referees as they are crucial to the success of a match. He also mentions that they have written to KRU with their concerns and hope that they will look into the matter.

Other than that, he says they are now focusing on their next games to try and get their first win of the season.  

Nakuru RFC has struggled as a team this season due to the club losing their top players to other teams and financial challenges.

"We have four tournaments left and we are hoping for a good result that will put us in a good position on the table to qualify for next year's Kenya Cup. We play Kisumu at home this weekend  and away to Strathmore followed by Mwamba and finally Impala RFC," he says.

Asked on their performance this season, he describes it as a league of haves and have-nots, saying it has been difficult to maintain the quality of the team.

Warioki also says that it has been difficult to bring in new signings to build the team, apart from players coming into the senior team from the Nakuru RFC age-group, which has resulted in them finishing poorly so far.

"The panic button has not been pressed yet. We are grateful that after the hearing, the team was not penalised with a two point deduction .We are looking forward to playing well in our next four games to avoid relegation," he says.

Nakuru RFC currently sit 12th on the score table with zero points. They need to win all their next matches to avoid relegation and qualify for next season's Kenya Cup.