Over the weekend, Menengai Oilers earned a place in the Impala Floodlit Tournament’s roll of honour after defeating hosts Impala 42-3 in the final at Impala Club.
This victory made Oilers the first team outside Nairobi to clinch the prestigious title. It also marked their first Floodlit championship win since joining the senior category in 2018, following consecutive successes in the varsity category.
Oilers in Impala Floodlit
Oilers join Strathmore Leos on the honour list, who claimed their sole title in 2012 with their golden generation squad.
Menengai Oilers players pose with Impala Floodlit Trophy. PHOTO/Scrummage
KCB Rugby remain the tournament’s most decorated club, with a record 10 titles, including an impressive five-year streak between 2017 and 2023. That run ended with a narrow 9-8 loss to Blak Blad in this year’s quarterfinals.
Mean Machine follow closely with nine titles, spanning successes in 1984, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2006, and 2011.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
- Follow us on Scrummage Africa FB
- Mike Friday advice to Kenya 7s
- List of laws to be used in Kenya Cup 2024/25
- 1 step forward, 2 back: A story of Kenya Rugby Referees
Hosts Impala have won seven titles, the most recent in 2016, when they edged out KCB 33-32 in a thrilling final.
Impala RFC in action against JKUAT. PHOTO/Impala Rugby/Facebook
Other teams on the honour roll include the defunct Barclays with four titles, while Mwamba and Kenya Harlequin have each secured three championships.
ImpAla Floodlit’s most successful teams
KCB 10 titles ( 2005,2007,2013,2014,2015,2017,2018,2019, 2022, 2023)
Mean Machine 9 titles ( 1984,1991, 1993, 1994, 1995,1996, 2004,2006,2011)
Impala 7 titles (1999,2000,2001,2003,2009, 2010, 2016)
Barclays 4 titles (1985,1987,1989,1992)
Mwamba 3 titles (1986,1988,2008)
Kenya Harlequin (1990,1997,1998)
Nondescripts (1983,2002,2012)
Strathmore Leos (2011)
Menengai Oilers (2024)
Floodlit Roll Of Honour
1983: Nondescripts
1984: Mean Machine
1985: Barclays
1986: Mwamba
1987: Barclays
1988: Mwamba
1989: Barclays
1990: Kenya Harlequin
1991: Mean Machine
1992: Barclays
1993: Mean Machine
1994: Mean Machine
1995: Mean Machine
1996: Mean Machine
1997: Kenya Harlequin
1998: Kenya Harlequin
1999: Impala
2000: Impala
2001: Impala
2002: Nondescripts
2003: Impala
2004: Mean Machine
2005: KCB
2006: Mean Machine
2007: KCB
2008: Mwamba
2009: Impala
2010: Impala
2011: Strathmore Leos
2011: Mean Machine
2012: Nondescripts
2013: KCB
2014: KCB
2015: KCB
2016: Impala
2017: KCB
2018: KCB
2019: KCB
2020: Not played
2021: Not played
2022: KCB
2023: KCB
2024: Menengai Oilers
*There were two editions of the tournament in 2011. Strathmore Leos won the 29th edition of the tournament in March 2011 with Mean Machine winning the 30th edition of the tournament in October 2011.
