After winning their second round of matches at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, KCB Rugby and Strathmore Leos have sealed their position in the Dala 7s quarterfinal matches with a game to spare.
MMUST Rugby Club defeated Kabras RFC, while the Catholic Monks stunned Kenya Harlequins. As a result o, the majority of the teams will have to wait until the final round to confirm their place in the quarterfinals.
Pool C
KCB Rugby qualified for the last eight after a 19-10 win over Impala Saracens. Impala led through Israel Soi’s try which was later cancelled by Elvis Olukusi’s converted try at the other end. Soi grabbed his second try which was once again cancelled by Mike Kimwele’s try at the other end. Andrew Amonde, playing in his first tournament since 2019 scored the final try for the victory that saw KCB proceed to the fourth consecutive quarter this season.
They were joined by Strathmore Leos who only needed a solitary try to beat Blak Blad to book a place in Sunday’s quarters. The two sides will face off in the Pool C decider later in the evening.
Pool A
Nondies picked the second win of the tournament beating hosts Kisumu 31-5 to boost the quarterfinal hopes. The rangers took on hosts Kisumu RFC after edging Nakuru RFC 17-12. Kisumu on the other hand were eager to capitalize on their home advantage and scorching sun to claim their first win.
Nondies registered their names first on the scoresheet through a converted try. Ian Mabwa would then dance through Kisumu’s defense, a solo effort which earned a five-pointer for the men in Red. His conversion was however unsuccessful, bringing the scores to 12-0.
Samuel Motari’s infringements would send him to the naughty chair. Kisumu then capitalized on their opponents six-man disadvantage to score their first try of the game. The conversion was wide, changing the scores to 12-5 before the end of the opening half.
In the final half, Nondies landed a converted try to confirm a 19-5 lead. Moses Begi pushed for another five-pointer for Nondies. The conversion was successful, leading to a 26-5.
An infringement from Kisumu would see them down to six men, a chance which Nondies wonderfully seized for an unconverted try, bringing the scores to 31-5 before the sound of the final whistle.
Mwamba who had thrashed hosts Kisumu 26-7 were handed a 24-22 defeat by Nakuru RFC in the second match blowing the pool open. The Driftwood 7s champions dominated the first half thanks to a brace by Michael Tendwa, both tries went unconverted. Inzuga then scored for the men in black, to confirm their early lead. The half time score was 15-0.
Nakuru RFC returned from the break stronger, scoring two quick fire tries and converting one. Nakuru’s Chrisant Ojwang then scored a try that was converted by Fredrick Odongo. An unconverted try then followed before Mwamba came back to the scoresheets through A Sylvester Miheso’s try that was converted. The game ended 24-22 in favor of Nakuru.
POOL B
Kabras RFC are at the risk of missing the quarters for the second time this season after losing to their neighbours MMUST in a Lurambi Derby. MMUST who had lost 31-12 to Menengai Oilers in the opener edged Max Adaka’s charges 15-12 to boost their chances of reaching the last eight. Both MMUST and Kabras will need to win their final matches to boost the chance of reaching the last eight.
Menengai Oilers maintained their top spot in the Pool with 21-19 win over Daystar Falcons in a closely contested match. They will be hoping stay top when they play Kabras RFC.
POOL D
Kenya Harlequin suffered a shocking 19-14 loss to newly Promoted Catholic Monks. Paul Murunga charges will need to beat his former side Homeboyz to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.
Homeboyz picked their first win of the tournament after whipping Zetech 45-12.
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 31-5 Kisumu RFC– 11.50am
POOL A: Mwamba Rugby Club 22-24 Nakuru RFC – 12.10pm
POOL B: Kabras RFC 12-15 MMUST – 12.30pm
POOL B: Menengai Oilers 21-19 Daystar Falcons – 12.50pm
POOL C: Strathmore Leos 5-0 Blak Blad – 1.10pm
POOL C: KCB Rugby 19-10Impala Saracens– 1.30pm
POOL D: Kenya Harlequin 14-19 Catholic Monks – 1.50pm
POOL D: Homeboyz 45-12 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
