Homeboyz are the Dala 7s Champions after edging Menengai Oilers in the final played on Sunday at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.
Oilers have now lost in five National Sevens Circuit finals and will have to wait longer for the 7s Cup win. Gibson Weru, who led Nakuru RFC to their lone National 7s Circuit title in 2015, headed to this hoping to break the Oilers’ final curse. The last time Oilers had won a final match was in the 2019’s Great Rift 10s beating Homeboyz 10-5.
Prior to this Dala final, they had fallen to Mwamba Rugby Club in Driftwood 7s final a fortnight ago. The defeat to Mwamba in Mombasa was their fourth final loss in the 7s Circuit. Oilers had previously reached the 2017 Kabeberi 7s final, as well as the 2019 Kabeberi and Dala 7s finals, but had all lost.
The Deejayz on their part were featuring in the first final this season and were seeking to emulate the 2016 and 2017 squad which managed back-to-back Cup wins in Dala.
Kenya 7s youngster Amon Wamalwa went on to score the opening try for Homeboyz to lead 7-0 after Mike Nyakundi converted. Oilers, featuring in the second consecutive final, pulled back through Amos Onyinkwa who touched down under the sticks. Mark Kwemoi banged in a conversion for a 7-7.
Leonard Mugaisi restored Homeboyz lead after a try at the left corner for a 12-7 halftime lead. Kenyan International Collins Shikoli scored the third try that was converted Brian Juma for a 19-7 lead.
Oilers scored a late try through Kenya Simbas winger Beldad Ogeta’s try and Kwemoi converted but could not stop Homeboyz from reclaiming the title they last won in 2017.
KCB Rugby edged Mwamba 10-7 to finish third for the second time in a row. Chrispin Onyango’s converted try gave Mwamba a lead and KCB fought to respond back through skipper Michael Wanjala after he sprinted over 50 metres to score a try for KCB.
Andrew Amonde scored the winning try after a powerful run to give the bankers a podium finish. Strathmore Leos beat Nondies 17-12 to finish fifth in the competition.
Kabras RFC won the Challenge Trophy after a 14-10 win over Nakuru RFC as Kenya Harlequin edged hosts Kisumu 12-7 to finish 13th.
