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

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)