No Christmas for Catholic Monks and Homeboyz as league takes a break

There will be no Christmas cheer for Homeboyz and Catholic Monks as both teams grapple with their dismal performance in the opening three matches of the 2023-2024 Kenya Cup campaign.

Anchoring the league table, the Catholic Monks find themselves deep in the relegation zone with a significant point difference of -178.

Monks began the season with a 48-8 defeat at the hands of Kenya Harlequin before slumping to a 79-19 defeat to KCB. Last Sunday, matters went from bad to worse for the students who were hammered 78-0 by defending champions Kabras Sugar in Kakamega.

With each match so far culminating in defeat, their tactics and team spirit are under scrutiny as they search for a formula to reverse their fortunes in the upcoming fixtures.

Just above them, Homeboyz are enduring a similarly tough season. They too have failed to secure any points, concluding the year with a disappointing -146 point difference.

The break may be their most crucial period yet as they strategise on how to change their approach and inject some much-needed momentum into their play.

Homeboyz were hammered 77-10 by KCB over the weekend, adding salt to their already unattended wounds of 52-3 and 43-13 defeats to Quins and Menengai Oilers respectively.

The narrative shifts significantly at the top of the standings, where defending champions Kabras Sugar are enjoying an enviable form.

They lead with a perfect record and an imposing point difference of +180, underscoring their status as the team to beat once more. Their consistency and sheer quality have been a highlight of the season, setting a formidable benchmark in the Kenya Cup.

Kabras began the season with an impressive 72-10 win over Kisumu RFC before seeing off Nondescripts 40-0 and Monks 78-0.

Close on Kabras Sugar's heels are KCB Rugby, who match the leaders on points but trail slightly in point difference, at +164. They too have been a force to reckon with, displaying a fine blend of strategic acumen and raw power that has seen them dispatch all their opponents to date.

The Kenya Harlequin's surge to third place is one of the season's more inspiring stories. With a robust +119point difference, they have harnessed a winning combination of youth and experience to mount a serious challenge for the title.

Holding the fourth spot, Menengai Oilers are also unbeaten, with a +114 point difference signaling their intent to remain in contention for top honours. The Oilers have proven their mettle and look to continue their charge in the post-holiday fixtures.

In contrast, Nondies have shown a ray of hope with their first victory of the season, a sign that all is not lost. They will be hoping to carry this new-found confidence into the latter stages of the competition.

Strathmore Leos' unexpected descent to seventh position marks a sobering end to the year for a team that had shown earlier promise. They will be looking to reignite their campaign and ascend back to the top ranks when play resumes.

While the top teams head into the break with momentum and pride, Homeboyz and Catholic Monks face a period of reflection and planning.

The festive season will be less about celebration and more about hard work and soul-searching as they aim to turn their campaigns around in the new year. With the league standings offering a stark contrast from top to bottom, the upcoming matches in the Kenya Cup promise to be filled with anticipation and high stakes.