Strathmore Leos are the 2024 Prinsloo 7s Champions, ending a 15-year wait with a commanding 33-7 victory over Nondies in the final held at Nakuru Athletics Club.
The clash was a rematch of the Tisap 7s final, where Nondies had edged out Leos in sudden death. This time, however, Strathmore Leos were in dominant form as they secured their first Prinsloo 7s title since 2009. Nondies, seeking their first-ever Prinsloo title, could not match Leos’ intensity.
Strathmore Leos opponents path
Nondies had a tough path to the final, drawing with KCB and Nakuru RFC before defeating National 7s Circuit Champions Kenya Harlequin in the quarterfinals and Kabras RFC in the semis.
Strathmore Leos huddle in Embu 7s. PHOTO/ Embu 7s/ Faceook
Before the final, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Rift Valley Referee Chairman Daniel Chibata, who passed away earlier in the week.
Strathmore Leos also showed solidarity with their former player and team manager, Harold Tende, who is battling cancer, by wearing t-shirts in his honour.
Leos started strongly, with Collins Maina opening the scoring after beating his marker on the right wing for a 7-0 lead, thanks to Arnold Muita’s conversion.
Nygel Amaitsa extended the lead with brilliant footwork, and George Ooro added a third try from a well-worked ruck.
Gabriel Ayimba came close to adding a fourth but was tackled just before grounding the ball.
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Nondies managed to pull back with a try by Benson Salem early in the second half, but Strathmore Leos quickly regained control, scoring through Philemon Olang and Stanislaus Shikoli to seal a 33-7 victory.
Nondies’ attempts to mount a comeback were cut short by a knock-on during a crucial attacking play.
Outgoing Prinsloo 7s champions Kabras RFC finished third, beating Menengai Oilers 19-0, securing yet another second-place finish in the overall National 7s Circuit standings.
Kenya Harlequin, the 2024 National 7s Circuit Champions, finished their campaign on a high, beating Nakuru RFC 35-5 to claim third place.
In other results, KCB Rugby took ninth place with a 45-7 victory over Daystar Falcons, while Mombasa RFC secured 13th place by beating Mwamba RFC.
Prinsloo 7s day 2 fixtures
Challenge Trophy
Zetech Oaks 24-17 Mwamba
Daystar 14-12 MMUST
KCB Rugby 39-0 Mombasa
Catholic Monks 35-5 Kabarak
Cup quarters
Kenya Harlequin 12-15 Nondies
Kabras RFC 10-0 Blak Blad
Nakuru RFC 17-24 Menengai Oilers
Strathmore Leos 26-5 Stallions
Ladies Rank 1 vs Rank 4 – 11:40
Semis Rank 3 vs Rank 2 – 12:00
Semis
13th place
Mwamba RFC 21-10 MMUST
Mombasa RFC 5-7 Kabarak
Challenge Trophy
Zetech Oaks 7-15 Daystar Falcons
KCB Rugby 22-12 Catholic Monks
5th place
Kenya Harlequin 24-5 Blak Blad
Nakuru RFC 20-5 Stallions
Cup semis
Nondies 15-5 Kabras RFC
Menengai Oilers 12-17 Strathmore Leos
Finals
13th Place Finals
Mwamba 15-19 Mombasa
9th Place Finals
KCB 45-7 Daystar
5th Place Finals
Kenya Harlequin 33-0 Nakuru RFC
Bronze Match Finals
Kabras RFC 19-0 Menengai Oilers
Cup Finals
Nondies 7-33 Strathmore Leos
