Blak Blad flew off the blocks in the opening minutes of the game courtesy of a penalty kick by Kevin Gathu before another successful try in the ninth minute extended their lead to 8-0.

Gathu turned up with two more penalties within five minutes as coach Louis “Fadhee” Kisia’s side struggled to get a hold on the game.

The Lang’ata Road-based students however got a lifeline courtesy of a try on the stroke of halftime to go for the breather at 14-5 in favour of their Thika Road-based opponents.

The second half was a see-saw affair as both sides strived to penetrate each other’s 22.

With 16 minutes to go, Leos’ George “Japolo” Ooro put the ball over the white line to bring Strathmore within a point of Blak Blad.

However,  any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out soon after the restart as Gathu converted his third penalty kick of the tie to extend Blak Blad’s lead to 17-13.

Leos came back an injured lion, determined to swing the duel their way but their fellow students held out resolutely to collect a precious win – and with it – passageway into the semis.