For the second weekend in a row, high-flying KCB Rugby and Strathmore Leos will meet in a National 7s Circuit final, this time at the Prinsloo 7s, after both sides triumphed in their respective semi-final clashes at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
KCB Rugby once again proved their class, surviving a stern test from Menengai Oilers to win 10-5 in a rematch of last weekend’s quarterfinal, which KCB had won 29-0.
This semi-final was a much tighter contest. With just under three minutes to play in the first half, Samuel Asati reacted quickly after his teammate was held high, spotting a gap on the left and sprinting through for a try. KCB took a 5-0 lead into the break despite Oilers’ late first-half pressure.
Oilers controlled large portions of the second half and finally broke through five minutes in, as Samuel Mwaura dived over from a scrum to level the scores at 5-5.
However, Vincent Onyala came to KCB’s rescue, spotting space out wide and slicing through to score the winning try and seal a 10-5 victory.
Holders Strathmore on course
Defending Champions Strathmore Leos cruised into their second straight final with a dominant 40-0 victory over Catholic Monks.
They had a dream first half, racing to a 28-0 lead. Victor Mola opened the scoring with a converted try, and Nygel Amaitsa followed it up with a strong finish after cutting inside, also converted.
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Elton Amalemba added a centre-post try for 21-0 before Mola showed electric pace to round multiple defenders for the fourth converted try.
In the second half, Amalemba completed his brace after receiving a pass after a quick tap, with Brian Mwenda adding the extras for 35-0. Samuel Wafula put the icing on the cake with the final try, sealing a 40-0 rout.
Nakuru chase fifth
Nakuru RFC booked a place in the fifth-place final after edging Kabras RFC 12-10 in a tightly contested match.
The hosts pressured Kabras early and took advantage of a mistake by Eric Cantona to open the scoring with a converted try for a 7-0 lead.
They added a second try when, after winning a penalty and opting for a scrum, Javan Otieno picked and fed Cyprian Ombaso, who touched down at the corner for a 12-0 lead.
Kabras mounted a late comeback. Roy Maruti came off the bench and scored a try after selling a dummy, but Jackson Siketi missed the conversion. Moments later, Siketi reclaimed the ball after his restart and scored in the corner to make it 12-10, but the second conversion was also missed, allowing Nakuru to cling to the narrow lead.
Kenya Harlequin eye fifth
Kenya Harlequin progressed to the fifth-place playoff once again after beating Mwamba RFC 19-5.
Quins started brightly, scoring two quick converted tries before adding another just before the break to lead 19-0.
Mwamba pulled one try back in the second half, but it was too little too late, and Quins secured the win to move into the fifth-place decider.
Prinsloo 7s Knockout Stage
Challenge Trophy
Mombasa 0-31 Zetech Oaks – 8:36 am
Impala 12-7 Kisumu– 9:36 am
Daystar 14-5 Stallions – 9:54 am
Nondies 26-12 MMUST – 10:12 am
Cup quarters
Kenya Harlequin 0-26 Strathmore Leos – 10:30 am
Mwamba RFC 7-12 Catholic Monks– 10:48 am
Menengai Oilers 7-0 Nakuru RFC – 11:06 am
KCB Rugby 17-5 Kabras RFC – 11:24 am
Semis
13th place
Mombasa RFC 19-7 Kisumu – 12:22 pm
Stallions 24-7 MMUST– 12:42
9th place
Zetech Oaks 12-10 Impala – 1:02 pm
Daystar 31-7Nondies– 1:22 pm
5th place semis
Kenya Harlequin 19-7 Mwamba– 1:42 pm
Nakuru RFC 12-10 Kabras RFC – 2:02 pm
Cup semis
Strathmore Leos 40-0 Catholic Monks – 2:22 pm
Menengai Oilers 5-10 KCB – 2:42 pm
13th Place
Mombasa vs Stallions – 3:02 pm
9th place
Zetech vs Daystar – 3:22 pm
5th place
Kenya Harlequin vs Nakuru – 3:42 pm
Third place
Catholic Monks vs Menengai Oilers – 4:02 pm
Division II Final – 4:22 pm
Cup final
Strathmore Leos vs KCB Rugby – 5:14 pm
