This win means they are level on points with Mwamba, tied on 30 but placed third in the league due to a lower goal difference. Strathmore lead the standings with 32 points.

The Cubs also registered an away win, beat Machine II 16-3 in the Eric Shirley Shield at the same venue.

KCB would regain possession from the resulting line out, winger Darwin Mukidza stepping past his marker but losing the ball after being unable to field his punt over an on rushing Quins player.

The home team would enter KCB territory, winning a penalty off a infringement with Dennis Muhanji putting it over, the score board reading Lunch Bar Quins 3 Kenya Commercial Bank 0.

KCB would dominate from the restart, first going for goal off a Quins infringement but Olando’s attempt sailed wide. Still in possession, they would attack, mauling on the home team’s try line, setting up the platform for their backs to spread the ball but they couldn’t penetrate and were caught out, Isaac Adimo’s big kick turning the tide as Quins entered KCB territory, winning a penalty off an another infringement. Quins would attack with Kenya lock Tony Mutai touching down under the posts. Muhanji’s conversion taking the score to 10-0. Mukidza would finally ground the ball for KCB, his unconverted try at the stroke of half time taking the scores to 10-5.

Second half action saw Willy Ambaka stretch the hosts lead, his try putting Lunch Bar Quins 15-5 up before KCB scrum half Collins Kimani broke from a scrum down in midfield, engaging on a nippy, searching run before offloading to winger Sebastian Shivoka who grounded in the corner, making the game a five pointer as Quins led 15-10.

Ambaka would land his brace, a sublime finish, fielding Tusker Man of the Match Adimo’s cross kick and touching down at the corner with Victor Sudi converting for a 22-10 lead.

With timing winding down, KCB threw on Kenya scrum half Peter Mutai, as they tried to keep in touch with their hosts. Their drive saw them rewarded with a try after a period of sustained pressure, veteran prop Arthur Shikwe touching down, his try earning KCB a bonus point for losing by seven or less points.

Final Score: Lunch Bar Quins 22 Kenya Commercial Bank 15

It was a dust raising afternoon at the Ruringu Stadium in Nyeri Saturday as the first day of the KCB Micro Banking Rally kicked off

Alastair Cavenagh was the quickest in the special spectator stage with an 8000 strong crowd cheering him and the other drivers as they set the pace in day one of the rally.

Cavenagh clocked 1minute :09 seconds to complete the 1.2 Kilometer stage, followed by Peter Horsey a second behind, 1 minute: 09 seconds followed by his brother Alex one second adrift to finish in third place.

Earlier in the day, the rigorous reconnaissance exercise ended with the drivers describing Mount Kenya route course “twisty and technical.”

The first 6kilometers of CS2 Wariruta-Ngunguru stage were very steep and narrow and most of the crews felt there is need for extra caution.

“If somebody breaks up on CS2 then its going to stop the entire rally traffic,” said Subaru driver Nooormohamed Mohamed.
After the shot 1.2kilometer stage at Ruringu, the KCB Micro Banking Rally proper restarts today.

The event, which opens the eight leg KCB Kenya National Rally Championship, runs 14 stages with a competitive mileage of 160kilometers.

Scrutineering took place in the morning at Green Hills hotel. Drivers recounted their experience after recceing the route. A total of 50 drivers have enlisted for the event organized by Rallye Sports Club and co-sponsored iWay Africa, ALS, Car Track and Fly 540.

While teams were busy in scrutineering, KCB Foundation continued with their successful CSR at Nyeri Provincial General Hospital where they donated hospital equipment worth Ksh. 520,000. In attendance was the KCB Foundation Chairman Sue Omanga and KCB Group Chairma Peter Muthoka.

“Some stages are just too quick. Others are simple but really technical,” said Oilibya Racing driver Charles Hinga.

“CS2, 3 and 4 are very tricky stages. They are narrow and laden with tricky ruts. But its encouraging that I have good shocks this time round so I will drive very fast. I really love twisty terrains so I guess it going to be fantastic fun to all,” Subaru driver Noormohamed continued.

Former Pirelli star driver contender Raaji Bharij sounded quite enthusiastic after recce on his maiden drive in his new Mitsubishi EVO9.

“The route is really twisty and technical. I have just recced the fastest stage (CS6) of my life,” said Bharij.

The 2WD cars will from today henceforth tackle the full rally. Yesterday, they were pondering on how to endure the full distance.

“I have never seen such a long rally its like two rallies in total. First two stages two stages are too tight with lots of corners. The rest of the route opens up with few rocky stretches,” two times 2WD former Champion Leo Varese.

The rally begings at 8am on Sunday with the drivers and their crews tackling the 14 stages laid out by the Rallye Sports Club, who are the organisers of this round.

The ceremonial finish was held at the Ruringu Stadium at around 4:30pm.

Hosts and reigning league champions Lunch Bar Quins have since their three match winless streak that culminated in a  13-0 loss away to Nakuru on 14 January 2012, gone two matches unbeaten, registering back to back wins against difficult opponents in the form of Mwamba RFC and next door neighbors Impala RFC. They face another difficult opponent in the form of visiting Kenya Commercial Bank. These two sides kept their fans on the edge of their seats last season, Quins beating KCB 30-24 in the first leg encounter when Allan Omuka chased a seemingly hopeless cause, gathering the ball with his side trailing 23-24, his converted giving Quins the win.

One would also have to refer to the Enterprise Cup quarter final where Isaac Adimo’s left foooted drop goal with Quins trailing 20-23 saw them eventually beat the bankers 23-22, marching on to the semis before lifting the title. When these two sides last met in the Kenya Cup, the match ended in a 19-19 draw/ The Lunch Bar Quins may have had a slow start to the season but after two straight wins that have their tails up, they will look to make it three wins on the trot as they maintain they push for yet another successful title defense. They rallied from 10-13 down to beat hosts Impala 22-13 on match day eight and will relish the opportunity to face KCB.

“As we launch this years rallying circuit we are delighted to announce the renewal of our sponsorship in support of the KCB rally 2012 to the tune of Ksh 36 million. This funding will go towards facilitating the Kenya Motor Sports Federation in hosting the rallies throughout the season.” Said Kariuki.

However KCB who have sponsored the championship for the last eight years, three seasons at a time, have only committed sponsorship for this year.

“Since 2003, the first time we sponsored motor rallying; Kenyan motorsport has become synonymous with KCB. We have taken the rally to many parts of this country, entertaining and educating the public in the process while also building the banks brand equity.” He added.

Over the last two years, the bank has spent over Ksh6 million in community development support as part of the rally series.

“The bank, will continue to work with organizers and co-sponsors to support the needs of the communities in neighborhoods where rally would be hosted in areas of Health, Education, Environment, Entrepreneurship and Welfare in line with the mandate of the KCB Foundation.”

Meanwhile, Kenya Motorsports Foundation chairman Dave Macharia, confirmed that Green Hills Hotel is the host partner for the event.

More than 50 entrants have confirmed participation in the 2 day event that will see the Two Wheel Drive class competing alongside the KNRC.

A new class has been introduced, dubbed the Clubman Championship that will offer a chance to new rally drivers to hone their skills.

Fans will have the opportunity to view rally cars in full action at Ruringu Stadium which is also the venue for the service park.

After the February 4 spectator stage, cars will head straight to the Greenhills for an overnight perc ferme and restart the following day for the main rally.

The last time Nyeri residents last had a feel of turbo charged machines was six years ago when Nanyuki Rally’s spectator stage ran at the town centre, attracting thousands of spectators.

But the last time full rally action was witnessed in Nyeri was three decades ago.

Click to download Route Map