Kisii School eager to break underdog tag at nationals

Kisii School rugby players warm up before the Nyanza Region rugby 15s finals on March 15, 2025. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Kisii School has for the third consecutive time won the Nyanza Region 15s title, emerging as the new powerhouses of the sport by defeating long-time champions Maseno School and St. Mary's School Yala.

Numerous people had written off the Abagusii-based side following their dismal performance at the KSSSA National Finals of the past two years, when they could not proceed beyond the group stages. But their coach Lee Arstone remains convinced that his team has the calibre to compete with the best of the country.

Despite the challenge of new Western Region champions Vihiga High School, Rift Valley's Friends Bwake Boys School, with whom it met last year's national and East Africa finals, and Coast region's Marafa, Kisii is undaunted.

Speaking with Standard Sports, Arstone said his team believed in themselves despite their narrow 3-0 victory against St. Mary's Yala during the Nyanza Region finals.

The slim win is proof, Arstone insists, that his team can win despite things not going as planned, and that they're prepared to make it happen at the nationals.

"This team is resilient. We have committed boys who are ready to give their all no matter the situation and I trust we will do better this year.

"It has been tough for us the past two years but we have learnt our lessons and now ready to strike," said Arstone.

Meanwhile, Group A has reigning national and East Africa champions All Saints Embu from Eastern and former national champions Upper Hill from Nairobi.

Upper Hill who are the 2018 national and East Africa winners return to the games after a four-year absence and will be hoping to make up for the lost time.

Central Region champions Mang'u High School, who are also the 2010 national titleholders, complete Group A. Mang'u have dominated Central for the past two years.