Kenya Harlequin demonstrated their resilience by coming from behind twice to clinch the 2024 Driftwood 7s title with a 15-12 victory over KCB Rugby at Mombasa Sports Club.
This triumph marks Quins’ first Driftwood 7s title since 2016, cementing their position as the most successful club in the tournament’s history with 13 titles.
The win also boosts their chances of claiming the overall National 7s Circuit title after years of struggle.
Driftwood 7s a rematch
The final was a rematch of the Kakamega Ingo 7s, where Quins also staged a comeback to win in sudden death. KCB were making their first Driftwood final appearance since 2019, when they defeated Impala Saracens to win their third title.
Kenya Harlequin’s Charles Kinyanjui reacts in a past match. PHOTO/Brian Mwenje
KCB started strong, scoring an early try after a series of offloads in attack. However, Quins responded with pressure that led to an interception, allowing Charles Kinyanjui to race clear for a try, levelling the score at 5-5.
After halftime, KCB surged forward and scored another try, which was successfully converted, giving them a 12-5 lead.
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Quins, undeterred, responded through Amon Wamalwa, whose quick tap off a penalty led to a try near the posts. However, they missed the crucial conversion that would have tied the game.
In the dying moments, Quins kept pressing and earned a penalty, opting for a scrum. From the scrum, Lucky Dewald released a long pass to Brian Ratila, who crossed the try line at the right corner, sealing a thrilling 15-12 victory for Quins.
Kabras lose
In the third-place playoff, Blak Blad stunned outgoing champions Kabras RFC with a 22-10 win. Derrick Ashihundu put Kabras ahead with a try on the right wing.
Kabras RFC players James Olela, Brian Mutua and William Mwanji. PHOTO/Brian Mwenje
Blad responded but trailed 7-5 at halftime. In the second half, Alfred Orege extended Kabras ‘s lead with a solo try. Blak Blad’s Ian Kitutu added another try, securing a 19-10 advantage.
A late penalty after the hooter allowed Blak Blad to add three more points, securing their best finish of the season.
Driftwood 7s quarters:
MMUST 17-7 TUM Marines
Catholic Monks 14-22 Mwamba RFC
Menengai Oilers 24-0 Mombasa
Nakuru RFC 7-21 Stallions
Cup quarters
KCB Rugby 29-0 Nondies
Strathmore Leos 5-7 Kabras RFC
Daystar Falcons 0-12 Blak Blad
Kenya Harlequin 29-0 Zetech Oaks 10:56
Semis
13th place
TUM Marines 5-0 Catholic Monks
Mombasa RFC 0-7 Nakuru RFC
Challenge Trophy
MMUST 12-19 Mwamba RFC
Menengai Oilers 26-0 Stallions
5th place semis
Nondies 17-22 Strathmore Leos
Daystar Falcons 28-12 Zetech Oaks
Cup semis
KCB Rugby 17-0 Kabras
Blak Blad 0-7 Kenya Harlequin
13th place finals
TUM Marines 7-19 Nakuru
9th place finals
Mwamba RFC 0-12 Menengai Oilers
5th place finals
Strathmore Leos 7-12 Daystar
Bronze match
Kabras RFC 10-22 Blak Blad
Cup finals
KCB Kenya Harlequin 16:24
