Kisii RFC have earned promotion back to the KRU Championship after a hard-fought 13-6 victory over Administration Police Warriors at Kisii High School, marking a triumphant return after five years in the cold.
In a tense playoff encounter, Kisii led 7-6 at halftime after responding to an early penalty with a converted try. Captain Evans Makori crossed over before Walter Aiko added the extras for a seven pointer.
AP Warriors narrowed the gap with a penalty of their own just before the break, setting up a nail-biting second half.
Under the guidance of Kisii School coach Lee Arstone, the hosts displayed composure in the final half, drilling in a penalty through Aiko and sealing the win with a drop goal from subsitute Anthony Nyasani to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors.
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The promotion comes as redemption for Kisii RFC, who fell short at this stage in the 2023/24 season following elimination by Zetech University, the side that eventually earned promotion.
Kisii RFC now return to the second tier for the first time since the 2019/20 season, a turbulent campaign marked by several walkovers that led to their relegation.
The club had previously dropped from the Kenya Cup at the end of the 2017/18 season.
Their latest triumph signals a new chapter for the club, which will be aiming to re-establish itself in the national rugby scene.
