Dala 7s defending Champions KCB Rugby, Mwamba Rugby Club, Kenya Harlequin, Strathmore Leos and Kabras RFC kicked off their hunt impressively, winning their respective matches at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo on Saturday.
Nondies and Menengai Oilers also managed wins while Homeboyz played to a draw with Catholic Monks.
Pool C
KCB Rugby made a light work of Blak Blad to win 31-0. The bankers who won the 2019 edition ran six tries and converted three for a win. Bob Muhati landed the opening try that Isaac Njoroge converted for a 7-0 lead. In the second half, the match opened up more for the bankers who scored through Eugene Omondi, for a 10-0.
Elphas Adunga dotted the third try which Njoroge converted for a 17-0. Eugene Sirma’s try saw the scores change further while Isaac Njoroge sealed the victory with a try and conversion.
Strathmore Leos yet again proved to be superior against Impala Saracens winning 24-12. The two sides were facing off for the third time in the group stage this season. In the previous two meetings, the students won 36-0 and 50-0. Impala started off brightly with a try from Derrick Kinyari but Strathmore scored two successive tries for a 12-7 halftime lead.
In the final half, Israel Soi, grabbed a converted try which saw the Gazelles lead 14-12. Philemon Olang’s try and Stephen Osumba’s conversion restored Strathmore’s lead and they would seal off their victory with a five-pointer.
Pool D
Pool D matches saw Kenya Harlequin beat Zeteck Oaks 19-10. Quins managed a seven-pointer in the opening minutes of the game before Oaks pulled back with a try. Gabriel Ayimba scored the second try for Quins to lead 12-10 at the break.
One converted try in the second half was enough for Quins pick three points.
Homeboyz were forced to settle for a 17-17 by Catholic Monks. Leonard Mugaisi scored the opening try which was unconverted. The Deejayz stretched the lead with a seven pointer moments later. Two successive tries for Monks at the other end with one being converted saw the sides head to the breather tied at 12-12.
Amon Wamalwa scored the third try of the match which was cancelled by a Monks unconverted try for a 17-17 full time score.
Pool A
Nondies kicked off their campaign with a 17-12 win over Nakuru RFC in the first match of the day. Nakuru RFC entered this tournament hoping to improve on their previous results. They had failed to make the quarterfinals in their previous two tournaments. Nondies, on the other hand, arrived at Lakeside having reached their first quarterfinal of the season and hoping to continue with the form.
The Rangers would stand tall to defeat Nakuru RFC keeping the hope of making it to the quarters for the second time in a row alive. Nakuru will need to win the final two encounters to keep their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive.
They were joined on the winning list by Mwamba Rugby Club who beat the hosts Kisumu RFC 26-7 in the second match of the tournament. Fresh from winning the Driftwood 7’s, the black shirts walked onto the pitch full of confidence. They were up against a Kisumu side that was playing in their first tournament since 2019.
Kulabu scored four tries and converted three for 26 points while Kisumu managed just one converted try in the loss. Both Kulabu and Nondies have three points after the win while Nakuru and Kisumu have a point each
Pool B
Kabras RFC also kicked off their campaign on a good note seeing off Daystar Falcons 26-14. The Max Adaka charges came to Mamboleo, where they were crowned National Champions in 2017, hoping to improve on their performance. For Daystar, they were keen to replicate the Kabeberi 7s performance which saw them play in the quarters.
The teams were tied at 14-14 at halftime following two converted tries at both ends. In the final half, Kabras broke away thanks to two tries and one conversion to pick maximum points from the clash.
Driftwood 7s finalists Menengai Oilers kicked off their chase with a 31-12 win over MMUST Rugby Club to move top in Pool B on point differential.
Division 1 Day 1 Order Of Play, 2 July 2022
POOL A: Nondies 17-12 Nakuru RFC
POOL A: Mwamba Rugby Club 26-7 Kisumu RFC
POOL B: Kabras RFC 26-14 Daystar Falcons
POOL B: Menengai Oilers 31-12 MMUST Rugby Club
POOL C: Strathmore Leos 24-12 Impala Saracens
POOL C: KCB Rugby 31-0 Blak Blad
POOL D: Kenya Harlequin 19-10 Zetech Oaks
POOL D: Homeboyz 17-17 Catholic Monks
POOL A: Nondies v Kisumu RFC– 11.50am
POOL A: Mwamba Rugby Club v Nakuru RFC – 12.10pm
POOL B: Kabras RFC v MMUST – 12.30pm
POOL B: Menengai Oilers v Daystar Falcons – 12.50pm
POOL C: Strathmore Leos v Blak Blad – 1.10pm
POOL C: KCB Rugby v Impala Saracens– 1.30pm
POOL D: Kenya Harlequin v Catholic Monks – 1.50pm
POOL D: Homeboyz v Zetech Oaks – 2.10pm
POOL A: Nakuru RFC v Kisumu RFC– 2.40pm
POOL A: Mwamba Rugby Club v Nondies – 3.00pm
POOL B: Daystar Falcons v MMUST Rugby Club – 3.20pm
POOL B: Menengai Oilers v Kabras RFC – 3.40pm
POOL C: Impala Saracens v Blak Blad – 4.00pm
POOL C: KCB Rugby v Strathmore Leos – 4.20pm
POOL D: Zetech Oaks v Catholic Monks – 4.40pm
POOL D: Homeboyz v Kenya Harlequin – 5.00pm
