Strathmore rugby champs

By Ben Ahenda

Kenya Harlequin are still the National Sevens Circuit rugby leaders despite losing to Strathmore University 21-14 in the Prinsloo tournament final at Nakuru Athletic Club.

Harlequin have 74 points ahead of Nakuru (70), Strathmore University (66), Kenya Commercial Bank (52), Impala (48) and Masinde Muliro University (32).

There are only two National Sevens Circuit events left — the Kabeberi Sevens this weekend in Nairobi and the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa next weekend.

Aden Agow was the first to touch down for Harlequin before the winners turned tables on their opponents with quick tries and conversions by Joseph Aballa in both halves. Aballa was on the mark again minutes later and from then on the winners pressured their opponents.

Felix Kayange, a younger brother to national sevens team captain Humphrey Kayange, scored more points for Strathmore towards the end of the match.

Harlequin replied through two tries by Naftali Bondo and Allan Omwega with two conversions by Bondo. On their way up, Strathmore silenced hosts Nakuru 36-0, while Harlequin thrashed Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 24-5.

plate trophy

In the quarter-finals, Quins mauled Impala 24-7, Strathmore defeated Masinde Muliro University 22-7, Nakuru beat Mwamba 15-10 and KCB thrashed Mean Machine 24-5.

Impala lifted the Plate trophy after dismissing Masinde Muliro 28-17 in the final. In the semis, Masinde Muliro defeated Mwamba 17-10, while Impala dismantled Mean Machine 33-5.

Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad lifted the Bowl trophy after hitting Rwanda national team, The Silverbacks, 15-5 in the final. M Kamau, Anthony Ndwati and Edward Museto scored the three tries for the winners, while Adams Djuma replied for the Rwandese team.

Silverbacks hammered Mombasa Polytechnic 14-12 in the semis, while Blak Blad defeated United States International University-Africa (Usiu-A) 12-0.

In the quarters, Silverbacks walloped Kabarak University 22-5, Black Blad licked Nondies 10-5, Mombasa Polytechnic dismissed Kisumu 19-5 and (Usiu-A) hit Daystar University 12-2.

Bungoma walloped Kenya Polytechnic 17-5 to win the Shield trophy.

On their way up, Bungoma defeated Egerton University 19-7 in the quarter-finals and shattered newcomers Homeboyz 12-5 in the semis, while Kenya Polytechnic dismissed Flames 17-12 before hitting Siaya KMTC 17-0.

Other quarter-final matches saw Siaya KMTC dispatching Kimathi University 24-12 and Homeboyz hit Moi University 22-0. In the group matches, Harlequin topped Pool A after dismissing Homeboyz 34-7, hit Flames 34-5 and defeated Usiu-A 28-07 to lead with nine points from three matches.

Allan Makaka touched down twice for Quins and Naftali Bonu thrice as Bonu replied further with another two conversions against Homeboyz. Brian Asah scored the consolation try and conversion for the losers.