SCHOOLS: St. Mary's Yala set to renew rivalry with Vihiga High at East Africa Rugby Sevens semis

Maseno School Rugby players in action against St Marys Yala during Nyanza Regional secondary School games at Cardinal Otunga Mosocho.(Sammy Omingo,Standard)

St. Mary’s Yala will face off against Vihiga High School in a much-anticipated semi-final clash at the East Africa School Games FEASSSA 7s tournament in Uganda.

This match, scheduled for Sunday morning, promises to be a thrilling encounter as both schools aim to secure a place in the finals of the prestigious competition.

Vihiga High School, the Scrummage Katch 7s champions, demonstrated their dominance in Pool A, finishing at the top of the group with an unbeaten record.

Vihiga secured three wins and one draw, amassing a total of 10 points to secure their semi-final spot. Their impressive performance marks them as one of the favorites to win the maiden FEASSSA Cup.

In Pool B, Ugandan side Jinja Secondary School finished at the top, maintaining a perfect record with nine points after winning all their matches. St. Mary’s Yala, known for their fierce competitiveness, clinched the second spot in Pool B with six points.

The team faced tough opponents in the preliminary rounds, including Jinja Secondary School, London College, and Dr. Obote, but managed to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Reflecting on the tournament so far, St. Mary’s Yala coach George Kerima expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.

"The tournament has been highly competitive, and finishing second in our group is a testament to the hard work and determination of our players," Kerima said.

"Facing strong teams like Jinja Secondary School and still making it to the semi-finals shows our resilience. We are looking forward to renewing our rivalry with Vihiga High and giving it our best shot."

The semi-finals will feature three Kenyan schools and one Ugandan team, showcasing the regional talent and competitive spirit of the FEASSSA 7s tournament.

While St. Mary’s Yala prepares to face their Kenyan rivals Vihiga High School, Jinja Secondary School will go up against Bwake Boys, another Kenyan powerhouse, in the other semi-final match.

The FEASSSA 7s semi-final clashes are set to kick off on Sunday morning, with St. Mary’s Yala and Vihiga High School squaring off at 8:40 a.m., followed by the match between Jinja SS and Bwake Boys at 9:00 a.m.

Fans can expect a showcase of skill, speed, and strategy as these young athletes compete for a chance to lift the FEASSSA Cup and earn the title of East Africa’s best.