How Kabras RFC soared high in 2023

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For many Kabras RFC fans and players, 2023 stands out as one of the best years in their first decade of existence.

The Kakamega-based club achieved a remarkable double, adding two more major trophies to their collection, bringing their total to six, including three Kenya Cups and three Enterprise Cups.

Kabras RFC unbeaten 2023

Kabras RFC’s successful year commenced with a dominant performance at Nakuru Athletic Club, where Jeanson Misoga’s impressive five tries led the Sugarmen to a commanding 42-0 victory over Nakuru RFC.

This win extended their unbeaten streak at NAC since promotion. The club secured eight more victories, culminating in a 19-9 win over KCB at Kakamega Showground in the Kenya Cup final.

In the final nine matches of the 2022/23 season, they scored an impressive 340 points, averaging 37.7 points per match, while conceding only 69 points at an average of 7.6 points per match. The final-day triumph against KCB not only secured a double over the bankers in 2023 but also ended Kabras’s winless streak against KCB in the Kenya Cup finals.

Carrying their excellent form into the 2023/24 season, Kabras RFC have dominated, scoring 190 points and conceding only 10 points in just three games. Currently topping the log due to point differential, they have amassed 15 points in the three matches, maintaining a 100% win record in the Kenya Cup over the last 365 days.

In 12 matches played in the Kenya Cup in 2023, Kabras RFC scored 560 points and conceded only 79, establishing themselves as the second-best offensive side and the best defensive side in the country. The Kenya Cup final against KCB drew the largest crowd ever seen since their 2019 final, making it arguably the best-attended match in Kenya Cup.

Kabras RFC Enterprise three-peat

Adding to their triumphs, Kabras RFC completed a double for the second consecutive year by winning the Enterprise Cup weeks later.

Their journey included a walkover against Kenya Harlequin and a hard-fought 19-17 win over Menengai Oilers before overcoming an 18-7 halftime deficit to win the final against KCB 30-27. The win saw them beat KCB three times in a row in a span of a month.

This victory marked a three-peat in the Enterprise Cup, placing Kabras RFC among the elite teams that have achieved this feat in Kenya’s oldest cup, alongside Eldoret, Nondies, Impala, KCB Rugby, and Kampala RFC.

From their  15s exploits saw their players dominate the Kenya Simbas squad for the Currie Cup. Ephraim Oduor, Eugene Sifuna, Teddy Akala, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Brian Juma, Hillary Odhiambo, George Nyambua, Jeanson Musoga, Barry Young, Ntabeni Dukisa, Walter Okoth, Bryceson Adaka, Alfred Orege and Jone Kubu were named in the Currie Cup.

Most of the players were retained for the Victoria and Elgon Cup, with Dan Angwech, Derrick Ashihundu, Emmanuel Otieno and new signing Reinhard Mwalati making the cut.

Asuman Mugerwa and Eliphaz Emong were part of the players that featured for Uganda Cranes in Victoria Cup triumph and Elgon Cup second-place finish as well as in tests played in Tunisia.

Kabras RFC rise in 7s

Kabras demonstrated an enhanced performance, securing a second-place finish in the Dala 7s where they suffered their first defeat in the National 7s Circuit final, losing to KCB.

They bounced back by winning the second leg on the coast, clinching their first Driftwood 7s title by beating Menengai Oilers in sudden death.

Continuing their impressive form, Kabras triumphed in Nakuru City, edging out Kenya Harlequin 10-5 at Nakuru Athletic Club to claim their first Prinsloo title.

As they headed to Christie 7s, they were considered favorites, holding a rare tag in the shorter version and enjoying a 12-match winning streak in the National 7s Campaign. Despite adding four more wins, their run came to an abrupt end with a 7-5 loss to Strathmore Leos in the semifinal.

The campaign faced challenges with the absence of senior players Brian Tanga, Kevin Wekesa, William Mwanji, Lamec Ambetsa, and the suspension of Jone Kubu.

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Kabras managed a sixth-place finish in Tisap, and a quarterfinal loss to Oilers in the Cup quarters meant they missed out on securing their second National 7s title since 2017.

Under coach Felix Ayange, the 7s side achieved the best performance in their history, surpassing the point tally set by the 2017 National 7s Circuit-winning squad that claimed the title with 102 points.

Kabras boasted a 79.17% win rate in the campaign, securing 28 wins in 36 matches played. With one draw and seven losses, they finished the campaign in second place.

Throughout the 36 matches, they scored 679 points, averaging 18.8 points per match, and conceded 334 points, averaging 9.2 points conceded per match.

Following the 7s campaign, Wekesa, Tanga, and Mwanji went on to represent Kenya 7s, achieving success in the Africa Men’s 7s and Safari Sevens.

Despite missing out on the final two legs, Kubu and Ambetsa finished as top try scorer for the club with 13 tries, just four behind top try scorer Patrick Odongo.

Despite this good run, missing out on the 7s title would rank as one of the disappointing moments this year as they failed to join the likes of Nondies, Impala, Kenya Harlequin and KCB who managed trebles in the past.

Another disappointing moment would be when failed to retain the Victoria 15s losing the title MMUST 14-13.

Kabras headed to the preseason tournament without the over 95% of their senior players who were away on National duty. They beat Shamberere and Sigalagala but ended up losing to MMUST in Kisumu.