Defending champions Strathmore Leos, KCB Rugby, Kenya Harlequin, Menengai Oilers, and hosts Nakuru RFC secured their spots in the Prinsloo 7s quarterfinals after registering second successive wins in the group stage at Nakuru Athletic Club.
The second round of matches delivered a dose of excitement, producing two draws and a stunning upset as Mwamba RFC shocked Kabras RFC to keep Pool D wide open.
Pool A: Kenya Harlequin, Nakuru advance
Kenya Harlequin became the first team to book a quarterfinal place after cruising past Kabete Stallions 26-7. Quins now top the pool with six points from two wins.
Stallions drew first blood through Lawrence Ndung’u, whose converted try gave them a 7-0 lead. Quins responded through Jan Remke to level matters at 7-7.
Despite having a try by Albert Alela ruled out, Dave Mwaura’s quick-tap try just before halftime gave Quins a 14-7 lead.
Ramadhan Masete extended the advantage with a second-half try at the left corner before Patrick Wainaina sealed the win, finishing under the posts after fine build-up play initiated by Lucky Dewald.
Nakuru RFC joined Quins in the last eight with a 19-0 win over Mombasa RFC. Javan Otieno opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime with a superb solo effort for a converted centre-post try.
Joel Mboya added another in the second half before captain Chrissant Ojwang sealed the result.
Pool B: Oilers, Leos dominate
Menengai Oilers comfortably reached the quarterfinals after Denis Abukuse’s hat-trick powered them to a 31-5 win over Daystar. A converted try and Daniel Kipchirchir’s effort gave them a 14-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Abukuse added two more tries to complete his treble, with only Arnold Ogonda managing a consolation score for Daystar.
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Defending champions Strathmore Leos cruised to the quarters with a commanding 38-0 win. Gabriel Ayimba’s break on the left opened the scoring before Brian Mwenda added a converted try. Ayimba then scored his second just before halftime.
The second half saw Victor Mola score under the posts, Shem Okola add a fifth, and Nygel Amaitsa burst through the middle to cap off the rout.
Pool C: KCB cruise, Nondies held
KCB Rugby advanced to the quarterfinals with a clinical 48-0 demolition of Kisumu RFC, coached by their former player Fabian Olando.
Floyd Wabwire opened the scoring before yellow-carded Elvis Olukusi returned to assist Bob Muhati, whose offload set up Vincent Onyala. Wabwire added his second try, and Olukusi later crossed the line to make it 24-0.
Lionel Ajeliti and Tyson Maina combined for another score, before Olukusi and Festus Shiasi completed the seven-try performance.
Nondies and Catholic Monks shared the spoils after a thrilling 22-22 draw. Charles Odhiambo opened the scoring for Nondies before Felix Okumu replied. Wambani Onsundwa and Daniel Okito exchanged tries for a 10-10 halftime scoreline.
In the second half, Monks took the lead through Felix Omondi, but Nondies rallied with two quick tries. However, a late try and converted try ensured Monks stayed in contention with three points.
Pool D: Mwamba Upset Kabras, MMUST and Impala draw
Mwamba RFC shocked Kabras RFC with a 17-15 victory, their second consecutive win, leaving Pool D wide open.
Kabras started brightly, with Patrick Kluivert scoring in the corner after a sweeping move initiated by Humphrey Asiligwa. They extended their lead through Victor Otieno after a clever cross-kick from Eric Cantona.
Mwamba clawed back through Eugene Odhiambo, and a quick-tap try helped them lead 12-10 at the break. Kabras introduced Jackson Siketi whose tactical kicking gave them territory. Humphrey Asiligwa capitalized with a try for a 15-12 lead after a move off the scrum.
However, a yellow card to Jactone Osoo cost Kabras dearly, and Stephen Sakari scored for Mwamba to edge them ahead. Kabras had one last chance with a scrum in Mwamba’s 22, but a knock-on ended their hopes as Mwamba held on.
MMUST and Impala RFC played out a 15-15 draw, leaving both teams winless so far. Veron Kaburu gave MMUST the lead, but a failed restart allowed Impala to equalize through Andrew Matoka. Churchill Oyugi and Kevin Bukhala added tries for a 15-5 MMUST lead at halftime.
David Nyangige scored and later converted a try from Derrick Kinyari’s offload to earn Impala the draw in a seesaw contest.
Prinsloo 7s Day One Fixtures
(Kick-off Times)
- Kenya Harlequin FC vs MSC Rugby – 9:00 am
- Nakuru RFC 12-7 Stallions Rugby – 9:19 am
- Menengai Oilers 24-5 Zetech Oaks – 9:38 am
- Strathmore Leos 26-5 Daystar Falcons – 9:57 am
- Nondescripts RFC 22-7 Kisumu RFC – 10:16 am
- KCB Rugby 17-10 Catholic Monks – 10:35 am
- MMUST 12-14 Mwamba RFC – 10:54 am
- Kabras Sugar 24-5 Impala RFC – 11:13 am
WOMENS Impala RFC vs Ruck It Rugby – 11:32 am
WOMENS Northern Suburbs vs Nakuru RFC – 11:51 am - Kenya Harlequin FC 26-7 Stallions Rugby – 12:10 pm
- Nakuru RFC 19-0 MSC Rugby – 12:29 pm
- Menengai Oilers 31-5 Daystar Falcons – 12:48 pm
- Strathmore Leos 38-0 Zetech Oaks – 1:07 pm
- Nondescripts RFC 22-22 Catholic Monks – 1:26 pm
- KCB Rugby 48-0 Kisumu RFC – 1:45 pm
- MMUST 15-15 Impala RFC – 2:04 pm
- Kabras Sugar 15-17 Mwamba RFC – 2:23 pm
WOMENS Kenya Harlequin FC vs Ruck It Rugby – 2:42 pm
WOMENS Mwamba vs Nakuru RFC – 3:01 pm - Stallions Rugby vs MSC Rugby – 3:20 pm
- Daystar Falcons vs Zetech Oaks – 3:39 pm
- Catholic Monks vs Kisumu RFC – 3:58 pm
- Impala RFC vs Mwamba RFC – 4:17 pm
- Nakuru RFC vs Kenya Harlequin FC – 4:36 pm
- Strathmore Leos vs Menengai Oilers – 4:55 pm
- KCB Rugby vs Nondescripts RFC – 5:14 pm
- Kabras Sugar vs MMUST – 5:33 pm
