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National sevens: Teams descend on Nakuru for Prinsloos leg

Saturday, August 17th, 2019 00:00 | By
Nakuru’s Amos Obae (centre) attampts to stop Homeboyz forward Charles Omondi (with ball) during their match at the Dala Sevens last week. Photo/ALEX NJUE

Top Fry Nakuru rugby club will this weekend give a shot at their home tournament in the fourth stop of the 2019 National sevens series to go down at the Nakuru Athletic Club, organisers seek to throw an aftermath party not staged before.

Nakuru head coach Mitch Ocholla is yet to feature in a cup final but confidence in featuring in the main cup semi-final in Kakamega and Dala complements their home advantage on their odds list as Wanyore fans seek to roar louder at home.

Ochollah believes the tourney will make up some of the teams and attending fans best moments of the circuit.

“This is a home tournament so we are looking at improving on some arrears of play and put in extra work to make our fans and sponsors proud of the extra effort we put in. The event will leave fans and the players with a good memory of Nakuru,” Ocholla told Wikendi Sport.

Nakuru will open their hunt at 11.20 am against promoted Kenya Harlequin, play Blak Blad at 2.10pm and close pool D campaign against rivals in Day One’s highlight clash against Prinsloo defending champs Homeboyz at 5pm.

Revenge will be part of the mission for a couple of teams led by the series overall defending champs; Homeboyz and Kababeri Sevens winners Mwamba right from pool contention.

The Deejays suffered a humiliating 26-0 defeat to Nakuru in Dala Sevens last weekend while Mwamba were 12-7 knocked out of the main cup contention by Northern Suburbs in Dala Sevens pool meeting.

Mwamba will kick start day one of action against the Suburbs at 9.00 am with a vengeful mission as they seek to qualify for the quarter in a pool that has Dala Sevens champs KCB and invited Mombasa rugby club. 

KCB will play the second match of the day against Mombasa at 9.20 before a Pool B Kakamega derby pitting MMUST and Kabras at 9.40 am. A Nakuru derby pitting Kabeberi and Dala Sevens runners up Menengai Oilers and Egerton Wasps is also set to light up Pool B competition at 10.00am. 

Pool C competition will see Nondescripts and Western Bulls open the group fixtures at 10.20am followed by another group match pitting Impala Saracens and Strathmore Leos at 10.40am.

Fixtures

Meanwhile, Mean Machine will headline the 24-team Division Two after falling to the axe in Dala. Machine will play Malindi, Citam Kisumu and Stingers in Pool A.

Kisumu also got relegated at home and will headline Pool B featuring Kisii, South Coast Pirates and KCA.

Vihiga Granites headline Pool C whereas Daystar Falcons, Administration Police and Kiambu headline Pools D, E and F respectively.

Meanwhile, Edward Moseti, the tournament director, said Stanbic Bank in place to ensure a smooth running of the circuit sponsors all preparations.

Moseti said they expect an entertaining display of performances from the teams adding that security-wise the tournament is safe.

He observed that the teams participating are upbeat to make a mark in the tournament adding that they expect a new winner in the edition.

“All is set for the tournament that is to begin Saturday morning, more than 40 teams have confirmed and we expect entertaining moments for our fans,” said Moseti.

The contest has been categorised into Division One and Division Two Championships. Curtain-raisers slated for Saturday will feature schools and women championships.

Age Grade Championships that include Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 will feature in the first day of the tournament.

Tournament sponsors Stanbic Bank led by Nakuru branch manager Leonard Surmat said investment in the tournament is informed by its desire to promote home-grown sport.

According to Surmat as far as supporting grassroots initiatives is concerned the bank is in the forefront adding that are providing value to a new generation keen to develop their skills.

“Rugby is one of the sports that Kenyans hold dear to their hearts and we are pleased to renew the Sevens Circuit sponsorship for the next two years,” said Surmat.

Championships

The Series winners will get Sh500,000 while runners-up and second runners-up get Sh250,000 and Sh150,000 respectively. Division Two champions and runners-up will claim Sh150,000 and Sh50,000, respectively.

The first game of the day on Saturday will be between Northern Suburbs and Stanbic Mwamba at before series leaders KCB takes on Mombasa RFC with the latter coming in as an invitational side. 

MMUST will open their campaign against Kabras Sugar ahead of a Nakuru derby between Menengai Oilers and Egerton Wasps at 10am.

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