The Standard Sports

SCHOOLS. St Mary's Yala kick off East Africa rugby sevens title hunt with win over Uganda's Dr Obote

Rugby
By Washington Onyango | Aug 21, 2024
AMP
St Mary's Yala in action against Bwake during the national games in Kisii.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

St Mary’s School Yala kicked off their hunt for the vacant East Africa Secondary School rugby sevens throne on the front foot on Tuesday after thrashing Dr Obote 36-10 in Mbale, Uganda.

A new champion will be crowned in Mbale after defending champions Koyonzo Secondary School from Western were knocked out in the quarterfinals by new champions Friends School Bwake during the KSSSA National finals played in Kisii earlier this month.

Yala who are the national rugby sevens bronze medalists made light work of Dr Obote as Angelo Makori, Albert Otieno, Brian Ooko, Joseph Onyango and Nicholas Owino all crossed the white wash for the big win.

Speaking after their opening victory, Yala tactician George Kerima said they are taking it a game at a time and believe they can secure another podium finish if not win the East Africa title.

“It was a good start from the boys. After the nationals where we had mixed results, our expectations remain higher and we know what we have to do to get the job done.

“We have worked on our kick offs, set pieces and defensive structures which when mixed by our attacking game plan I believe we will win our matches.

“It’s not yet over anyway and we have a long way to go to get the job done,” said Kerima.

Yala will be facing Jinja Secondary School also from Uganda in their second match on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Vihiga High School, Kisii School and Friends School Bwake also picked wins to continue Kenya’s dominance in rugby in Mbale.

Vihiga kicked off the games with a 12-7 win over Kisii in the Kenyan derby before drawing 7-7 with Bwake in what was a repeat of the KSSSA national finals.

Bwake had begun the games with a 31-0 victory over Gitisi from Rwanda.

After their opening defeat to Vihiga, Kisii bounced back to hammer Kiira from Uganda 34-0.

East Africa Rugby Sevens Results

  1. Vihiga (ke) 12 vs 7 Kisii
  2. Kiira (ug) 12 vs 19 Gitisi (Rw)
  3. Jinja ss (ug) 05 vs 12 Nkoma (Ug)
  4. St Joseph's (ke) 32 vs 0 Nyagichenche (ke)
  5. Bwake (ke) 31 vs 0 Gitisi (Rw)
  6. Jinja ss (ug) 22vs7 London College (ug)
  7. St Mary's yala (ke) 36 vs 10 Dr Obote (ug)
  8. PMM (ug) vs St Theresa (ke) walk over
  9. Kijjabwemi (ug) 29 vs 7 Kinale (ke)
  10. Vihiga (ke) 7 vs 7 bwake (ke)
  11. Kisii (ke) 34 vs 0 kiira (Ug)
Share this story
Safari Rally introduces two new stages amid race preparations
The 2025 World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally has introduced two new stages at Mzabibu and Camp Moran amid race preparations in Naivasha.
Mitei, Kwambai expected to defend titles at 2025 Lewa Marathon
More than 15,000 athletes are expected in the Lewa Safari Marathon slated for Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo County on June 28, 2025.
Kenya's disappointing performance extends at Boxing World Championships
Three more Kenya female boxers are out of the ongoing World Women Boxing Championships in Nis, Serbia.
The penalty rule in football: Why Julian Alvarez's kick vs Real Madrid was disallowed
A controversial call overshadowed the nail-biting Champions League shoot-out that saw Atletico succumb to a 4-2 defeat after a 1-0 victory in regulation time.
Benni McCarthy takes over first Harambee Stars training session
Newly appointed Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy led his first training session on March 12, 2025
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS