Giants set to clash as National 7s Circuit h**ds to Nairobi
National 7s Circuit (NSC) leaders Kabras Sugar RFC have a date with three-time champions Impala RFC, Nakuru RFC, and Masinde Muliro University in Pool A of this weekend’s Christie Sevens at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
The Sugarmen top the standings with 63 points and will be keen to continue with their winning streak, following their Sunday’s win at the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru where they beat Kenya Harlequins 10-5 in the final.
Kabras Sugar head coach Felix Ayange has attributed his side’s heroics in the recent winnings during the just concluded Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru to maturity and hard work by his charges hence the 10-5 win over Ngong road-based side Kenya Harlequins.
Ayange also attributed the win to good leadership being portrayed in the Kakamega-based side right from the technical bench to the players led by Fijian-born Jonah Kubu.
“Super proud the boys were able to maintain the maturity needed to win such major titles, I also attribute this win to the good leadership being showcased by the technical bench and the players gave our aim is to win the overall title, but most importantly execute the game plan and correct the mistakes we have made along the way,” an elated Ayange said.
In other pools Kenya Harlequins, losing finalists in Nakuru, are in Pool B where they have a date with Kenyatta University Blak Blad, the 2018 NSC champions Homeboyz RFC, and Daystar University Falcons.
Paul Murunga’s charges who sit fourth on the log with 46 points will be keen to improve on their current position where they share points with Nakuru-based side, Menengai Oilers in third.
On his part, Quins head coach Paul Murunga has made it clear his ambitions heading to their own tournament will be to correct the mistakes that cost them the coveted title in Nakuru.
Murunga adding his next target is the upcoming Christies Sevens will be to avenge the Prinsloo Sevens’ loss against Kabras Sugar and hopefully be crowned the eventual winners.
“Our next target as a team will be the upcoming Christie Sevens which will be the perfect stage for us to avenge the loss we suffered during the just concluded Prinsloo Sevens,” Murunga said.
Three-time champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will be hoping to go two better than their campaign in Nakuru and lift the Christie Sevens.
The bankers finished third at the Driftwood and Prinsloo Sevens after defeating Strathmore Leos and Oilers respectively and will be joined by Kisumu RFC and Catholic University Monks.
In Pool D, Oilers will be up against record champions Mwamba RFC, Nondies, and Sigalagala.
Meanwhile, KCB 7s Assistant Coach Denis ‘Ironman’ Mwanja has urged his charges to shift their attention to the upcoming Christie 7s after emerging third during the concluded Prinsloo 7s at the Nakuru Athletics Club.
The bankers defeated arch-rivals Menengai Oilers 22-12 in the third playoff match to clinch the third-place position behind winners Kabras Sugar and Kenya Harlequins who settled for the second position.\
Currently, KCB sits second in the National Sevens Circuit standings garnering 56 points after three legs played so far, seven behind sugar millers Kabras who have accumulated 63 points.
“Today, we have blown hot and cold, we did not fire when we were expected to despite having prepared adequately for this leg of the series. We were third at the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa and even though this is a marathon, we need to up our game to reach the finals. Right now, we must re-energize and embark on our training before the Christie 7s which is just a week away,” reckoned Mwanja.
