SCHOOLS: St Mary's Yala win bronze and qualifies for East Africa games

St Mary's Yala in action against Bwake.[Sammy omingo,Standard]

St Mary’s School Yala are the 2024 KSSSA National rugby sevens bronze medallist.

Yala finished third for a second year running after stunning arch rivals Kisii School 10-5 in sudden death in a highly charged match played at Kisii School grounds.

Albert Otieno gave Yala a narrow 5-0 half time lead after scoring bear the corner before Jan Otieno restored parity for the hosts in the final half.

With no scores after the hooter, the match headed to sudden death where Anjelo Makori emerged the hero after scoring the winner for Yala.

Speaking after the match, Yala coach George Kerima said despite missing out on the final he is satisfied with the boy’s performance and winning bronze for a second year.

“We needed to play in the final so bad and it was painful to lose in the semis but we showed mental strength to recollect and edge out Kisii in the playoffs. This performance will lift the team further as we head to Uganda,” said Kerima.

Friends School Bwake were crowned national rugby sevens champions.

Bwake were crowned new champions after coming from behind twice to stun favorites Vihiga High School 19-14 in sudden death at Kisii School grounds.

Wilson Tonga gave Vihiga an early 7-0 lead after breaking through Bwake’s defensive line to score between the sticks, a try that Felix Apuok converted.

However, Rift Valley champions Bwake responded before halftime when Gerom Lumumba crossed over near the posts to tie the scores at 7-7 after Chesoli Nabonge added the extras.

In the final half, Tonga retuned to haunt Bwake when he beat the Trans Nzoia County champions defensive line again with his pace before scoring at the center for a 14-7 lead after Apuok’s conversion.

With minutes tickling down, Bwake refused to give up and despite the hooter sounding, Lumumba broke free again to tie the scores at 14-14. Nabonge added the extras as the game went to sudden death.

The restart saw the two teams exchange attacks and execute well planned defensive set ups that forced the game to another sudden death.

Played for almost 28 minutes, Bwake would have the last laugh when Darias Kipsang broke Vihiga’s hearts with a last gasp try that saw Bwake win 19-14.

Bwake, Vihiga, Yala and Kisii School all qualify for the East Africa games.