NATIONAL SEVENS CIRCUIT

Kakamega 7s semi-final pairings

By Dave Mwaura

Posted on July 17, 2022

Kabras' Jone Kubu takes a kick in a past match . Photo Courtesy/Denis Acre-Half.

Kabras RFC are set for their maiden appearance in the 2022 National Sevens Circuit Cup semis after defeating Nakuru RFC 22-19 to reach the Kakamega 7s semi-final set for the afternoon at the Bull Ring.

Max Adaka’s charges will now play Strathmore Leos in the second semi-final as they eye the first Cup final since the 2017 Christie 7s where they were crowned Champions.

The second semi-final will have usual suspects KCB Rugby and Menengai Oilers. Oilers and KCB will face off for the sixth time in a row this season at this stage with the Oilers having won three of the last five meetings.

This match will also shape the National Seven Circuit title race.

Oilers sixth

Menengai Oilers reached their sixth semi-final this season after brushing aside Catholic Monks to win 33-5. Kenya Simbas winger Beldad Ogeta raced for the first try with Dennis Abukuse adding the extras for a 7-0.

Ogeta then set up another Kenya Simbas player John Okoth who dotted down between the post. Abukuse easily converted for a 14-0.

Abukuse returned to the scoresheet for the third time this time around scoring a try and converting for a 21-0.

Monks pulled back with an unconverted try for a 21-5 heading to the break.

Monks lost Maxwell Omondi following a yellow card and Okoth scored his second try for Oilers to move to 28 points. Oilers sealed their victory with a five-pointer.

KCB rugby on their part also reached their sixth straight semi-final this season after a 27-7 win over Homeboyz in the second quarterfinal.

From the kick-off, Geoffrey Okwatch raced into Homebozy zone to score the opening try of the match. Brian Wahinya doubled the lead with the second try which also went unconverted.

Homeboyz pulled back when Brian Mutugi chased a kick from Mohammed Omollo to score their first try. Their conversion attempt was on target for a three-point gap.

Okwatch scored at the stroke of halftime for a 15-7 lead. On return for the break, Wahinya evaded tackles to score for a 22-7 lead while Isaac Njoroge sealed their victory with an unconverted try.

Strathmore Leos book Kabras

Strathmore Leos came from behind to beat MMUST Rugby Club 19-7 to reach the last four. The teams headed to break tied at 7-7 after George Ooro’s try and Brunson Madigu’s conversion cancelled MMUST converted try.

In the final half, Madigu set up Walter Omanyo for a try that saw the side move to 14 points. Madigu scored the final try to hand the side a place in the semi. They will face another Kakamega-based side, Kabras.

Kabras RFC reached their maiden Cup semi-final this weekend after beating Nakuru RFC to end Wanyore’s three-match unbeaten run in this event.

The Sugarmen led 17-5 at the break thanks to tries by Alfred Orege and Brian Tanga. Tanga bagged his second try of the match after being put through by Kubu. A successful conversion followed before Nakuru pulled back with an unconverted try.

In the second half, Nakuru got a converted try to draw close but Kubu ensured Kabras proceeded to the semis by scoring a try at the other end.

Samuel Mwaura’s late converted try could not help the side avoid dropping to the fifth place semis.

Nakuru RFC will play MMUST Rugby Club as Homeboyz takes on Catholic Monks.