Nakuru RFC moved into the playoff positions beating MMUST RFC 25–19 at the MMUST Grounds to secure their top-tier status for another season.
The Wanyore will, however, have to wait for the outcome of the rescheduled clash between Nondescripts RFC and MMUST to determine whether they remain inside the top six or drop out of the playoff places.
That fixture is equally crucial for MMUST, who must collect maximum points (5) in the encounter while also hoping Impala RFC fail to pick up any points in their final match against Blak Blad RFC on March 28 to survive relegation.
The match staged at MMUST Grounds produced a lively first half that saw 36 points scored. As has often been the case this season, Javan Otieno handed the visitors an early advantage with a penalty before Josephat Njunye crossed over in the eighth minute. Otieno added the conversion to stretch the lead to 10–0.
MMUST responded seven minutes later when Donald Litali dotted down, with Flavian Otiyo converting to reduce the deficit to just three points.
Nakuru soon restored their momentum as James Thiongo powered over for a try midway through the half, with Otieno converting to push the score to 17–7.
Thiongo then completed his brace just before the half-hour mark to extend Nakuru’s lead to 22–7 and hand the visitors a healthy cushion.
However, MMUST fought their way back into the contest when Alvin Maulo crossed the whitewash in the 32nd minute. Otiyo converted to narrow the gap to 22–14 heading into halftime.
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The second half proved more cagey as both sides tightened up defensively. MMUST were temporarily reduced to 14 men after a yellow card but still managed to stay within touching distance when Bevon Okoth crossed over to keep the hosts in the hunt.
Otieno later added a penalty to seal the 25–19 victory for Nakuru.
Despite the loss, MMUST picked up a valuable losing bonus point to keep their survival hopes alive ahead of their rescheduled trip to face Nondescripts on March 28.
Elsewhere, Impala RFC moved closer to safety after edging Nondescripts RFC 17–13 at the Impala Club.
Impala now require at least a point from their final fixture against Blak Blad to mathematically lock MMUST out of the Kenya Cup next season, or alternatively rely on MMUST failing to secure victory against Nondescripts to confirm their own survival.
