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Quins, KCB Rugby unbeaten in Kakamega Ingo 7s; Varsity sides shock Kabras, Oilers

By Dennis O

Posted on August 3, 2024

MMUST Rugby squad in new kit. PHOTO/MMUST rUGBY

Varsity sides MMUST and Catholic Monks staged upsets in their last group stage matches to sail into the quarter-finals of the Kakamega Ingo 7s at Kakamega Showground.

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MMUST upset Christie 7s champions and hosts Kabras 17-7 while Catholic Monks booked another slot in the quarters after 24-19 over Menengai Oilers.

Kakamega Ingo 7s Group A

MMUST struck first through Musa Mugandi who showed great speed on the outside to dot down in the corner. Mugandi was at it again moments later, rounding his man to score the students’ second try.

MMUST Rugby players in a past event. PHOTO/MMUST Rugby.

Kabras would hit first in the second stanza to cut the deficit to five points with a comeback on the cards.

Mugandi would break the home fans’ hearts with another try at the other corner after a well-worked set piece to hand Kabras their first loss of the circuit, full-time 17-7.

Blak Blad needed a win to secure a spot in the last eight, and they were quick from the start, Mejja Mulongo striking early to give Blad the lead. Blad would score off the base of the scrum to extend their lead before Western Bulls got their first try of the tournament.

Mejja who was in red-hot form produced another scintillating run to score Blad’s third. Abutwalib Wesonga then hit the final nail with a fourth try for a full-time score of 26-5. The result was however not enough as MMUST got a superior point differential.

Group B

In pool C, a Ngong road Derby was on the cards in the last round of the preliminaries, Nondies hitting first through Benjamin Marshall to lead in the heated clash against Kenya Harlequin.

Leon Nyang would cancel Nondies’ lead with a marauding run through the Red defence to level matters before Amon Wamalwa dotted down between the uprights for Quins to take the lead for the first time.

Another try by Quins was enough to put the game to bed, with full-time scores 17-5.

Mwamba suffered their third defeat of the day, going down 19-17 to Daystar Falcons who laboured to secure their first win of the day.

Group C

Monks finished second in their group after seeing off a resilient Oilers in the last Group C game. Abukuse opened the scoring for the Oilers before Monks replied with two tries.

Oilers would score again to take the lead before two well-worked tries from Monks would open the students’ lead.

Oilers would hit through Abukuse to cut Monks’ lead to five points in the dying moments of the game. Oilers would surprisingly kick out the ball when they needed a converted try to win the tie, giving Monks a 24-19 win.

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The other match saw Homeboyz strike first, Athuman going over in the first minute as the Deejayz looked to lead from the onset.

Kisumu would reply moments later, sweeper no 9 needing two efforts before grounding the ball for a 7-0 lead. Ramadhan Masete restored the deejayz lead with a blistering run from deep in their own half just as the game went into the break.

Tries from Masete, Nickson Shivei and Nasur Athman in the second half ensured a 24-12 win for Homeboyz.

Group D

KCB maintained their unbeaten record on day one, Michael Wamalwa going over for a walk-in try at the corner before Strathmore pulled level through a Collins Maina try.

KCB Rugby and Strathmore Leos huddle together after a past Kenya Cup match. PHOTO/KCB Rugby.

Elvis Olukusi would get on the scoreboard, displaying a now trademark goosey to beat his marker to give KCB a 10-5 win in the edgy encounter.

In the other group match, Nakuru struck twice in the first half for a 10-0 lead before Stallions pulled one back early. Felix Okoth would score a try in the death for a 15-5 win.