NATIONAL SEVENS CIRCUIT

Nondies, KCB into Christie 7s Cup quarters, MMUST stun Mwamba

By Dennis O

Posted on July 27, 2024

KCB Rugby During the Dala 7S. Photo/Dave Mwaura.

Defending champions KCB, Nondies and Oilers have confirmed their lots in the last eight after picking wins in the second round of the Christie 7s.

KCB, Nondies into quarters

Nondies were looking for an early quarter final slot and wasted no time as new signing Ronnie Omondi slid his way past Homeboyz defenders to put the Red Lions on the front.

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Charles Odhiambo would extend Nondies’ lead after dotting down in the corner before Homeboyz replied with a Patrick Mwakina solo effort to make matters 12-7 heading into the breather.

Kabras RFC ess squad. PHOTO/Kabras RFC

Nondies extended their lead as Charkes Omondi capitalised on a mispass to race clear for the white wash, Nondies confirming a place in the last 8, full time scores 17-7. The wins pushed them to six points in the group.

Tournament champions KCB were the next team to confirm their participation in the final eight after making easy work of Impala in the second round of the group round of matches.

First half tries from Jacob Ojee, Peter Kilonzo and Emmanuel Opondo made sure the Bankers went into the break with a comfortable lead.

The Bankers opened the second stanza strongly, Lionel Ajeliti latching onto an offload to dot down KCB’s fifth try. Elvis Olukusi, Austin Sikutwa and Elphas Adunga then touched down for a 47-00 final score.

They also gave six points and are on level points with Nondies ahead of the final group match which will finish top.

Pool B

Nakuru registered their first win of the day, a slim 12-0 win against Kisumu in a game where they dominated proceedings.

Kabras and Catholic Monks would play out to a 12-12 draw, taking the group quarter final qualification to the final matches of the day.

The pool is open with Kabras and Monks having five points each.

Nakuru RFC have four points while Homeboyz have two points.

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Pool C

Kenya Harlequins will have to wait till the final group game to confirm their place in the final eight after sharing points with Kenyatta University.

Quins were first on the scoreboard, Leon Nyang capitalising on a defensive lapse to race his way to the uprights before letting Amon Wamalwa score an easy one.

Blak Blad then hit twice in the second half to make it 12-7 before Wamalwa took a quick penalty to score at the dead end of the game, full time scores 12-12. This saw Quind move to five points as well as Strathmore Leos.

Daystar and Strathmore then shared spoils in the second group match, rallying from a 12-0 first half deficit to make it 12-12. Strathmore would pull ahead with an unconverted try before Daystar replied with a try of their own at the death for a 17-17 scoreline.

Pool D

MMUST made ammends to their poor start in the tournament to see off 26-5 in the second group D match of the second round to move to four points.

The students dominated proceedings from the start, scoring twice in the first half and thrice in the second as Mwamba struggled to find their momentum.

UOE who were buoyed by the Ugandan Rugby League duo of Brighton Bakasa and Andrew Odhiambo opened the scoring with a try under the uprights before Eugine Lubanga replied for Oilers, Erick Ogutu missing the conversion for a 7-5 scoreline heading into the breather.

MMUST Rugby squad in new kit. PHOTO/MMUST rUGBY

Oilers would score the only try of the second half to confirm their second win and a place in the final eight. Final scores 12-5 saw Oilers move to six points while Mwamba, MMUST have four points.