T. NashipaeA sneak-peek into Dala 7s pools
Reading Time: 5min | Thu. 29.06.23. | 15:28
Dala 7s will be the first outing of the six-legged season.
This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The leg everyone has been waiting for; the first leg of the 2023 National Sevens circuit - Dala 7s. Rugby fans have different reasons to look forward to this leg. First, because Kisumu never disappoints and second, it’s where we kick off the competitive 2023 NSC title quest.
The Jomo Kenyatta international stadium will throw its doors open for rugby fans from July 1-2, which will also be its second major rugby event. The pools are tight, making the opening day of Dala 7s even more mind-blowing.
Pool A: Menengai Oilers, Nakuru, Nondescripts, Catholic Monks
National 7s Circuit defending champions Menengai Oilers headline Pool A and are joined by their neighbors Nakuru RFC, Nondescripts, and Catholic Monks.
Menengai Oilers head to Kisumu as favorites. The Nakuru-based club will face strong opposition as they seek to retain their title. They amassed 113 points during the 2022 showpiece to be crowned winners. Oilers will also be looking to pick up from where they left last year to be crowned champions. They missed out on the Dala 7s title after a 19-14 loss to Homeboyz RFC.
They will however be up against their competitive neighbors Nakuru RFC who are showing no signs of slowing down. Nakuru RFC's morale is boosted by their new coach Kennedy Njoroge who will be keen to bag a title. The squad is also bolstered with faces such as Amos Obae who will be making a comeback to the 7s version of the game for the first time since 2019.
Nondescripts will also travel to Kisumu keen to get a run for their money. The Callum Oliver-coached club was recently promoted to the Kenya Cup league after seeing off South Coast Pirates 39-10 in the KRU Championship finals played on March 4, 2023. Nondies, commonly referred to as the Red Lions reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 Dala 7s, but they were edged out by Menengai Oilers 24-15. They will be keen to avenge.
Catholic Monks on the other hand kicked off their 2022 7s campaign by sharing a 17-17 score with Homeboyz RFC before beating Quins 19-14, then edging out Zetech 10-7, to book a slot in the cup competition. The student eventually fell to Nondies in the 5th place semi-final. They will be heading to Dala, keen to better their performance.
Pool B: KCB Rugby, Kenya Harlequins, MMUST Rugby, Mombasa RFC
In Pool B, KCB Rugby will lock horns with fellow Nairobians Kenya Harlequins, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby, and Coastal-based Mombasa RFC.
KCB Rugby head to Kisumu as wounded lions look to roar. The side failed to sparkle in the 2022 event, seeing them finish in second position with 106 points behind Menengai Oilers. The Bankers ended their 2022 Dala 7s chapter at position three after defeating Mwamba RFC 10-7. They will be eager to roar under the tutelage of former Kenya 7s captain Andrew Amonde, Dennis Mwanja, and Mark Mshila.
Kenya Harlequins too will be keen to showcase their true-Quin character in Kisumu. The 2023 Dala 7s was their lowest outing where they only picked three points. The side is now bolstered with young incredible talents and will be looking to shine, in addition to a successful 15s season. This will be Paul Murunga's second 7s stint with the Quins.
MMUST Rugby seems to be in perfect form if their performance in the build-up tournaments is anything to go by. The side lifted the Bungoma 7s title before winning the Kisii 7s tournament at the expense of Kisumu RFC. The students will also be looking to bounce back after a poor 15s season that saw them relegated from the top tier.
Coastal-based Mombasa RFC will also be keen to shine in the hot Kisumu weather. The side was off to a poor second-last finish in the 2022 NSC. This time, however, they are motivated after climbing to the KRU Championship league after a successful 15s season. They will be looking to extend their winning streak.
Pool C: Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons, Kisumu RFC
Hosts Kisumu RFC will be oozing with confidence, having climbed to the top tier in the concluded 15s season. The side will also be enjoying the support from home-based fans. The side is also under Lawi Buyachi, a former Nakuru and Kabras RFC backrower who will guide Kisumu for the first time.
They will however be up against a strong contingent of Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup defending Champions Kabras RFC. The Sugarmen too will be looking to showcase their fine form after an impressive 15s season. They will also be under the guidance of former Kenya 7s star Felix Ayange. Kabras RFC finished their 2022 NSC campaign at position six, and they will be aiming for a three-peat win.
Strathmore Leos is also a force to be reckoned with in this pool. The students finished their 15s campaign at position eight, but seem promising in the shorter version of the game. They are fresh from winning Embu 7s after a 26-0 win over Menengai Cream. The Louis Khisia-coached students will also be looking to cement their status in the 7s version of the game after finishing third in the 2022 extravaganza.
Daystar Falcons found the going tough and like Quins have been relegated from the first division in the 2022 Dala 7s. They however bounced back and will be looking to extend their fine form.
Pool D: Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, Makueni
2022 Dala 7s winners Homeboyz RFC will head to the Lakeside keen to stage a repeat of last year's where they won the title after a 19-14 victory over Menengai Oilers. Mwamba RFC claimed fourth position after a 10-7 loss to KCB Rugby and will be keen to bounce back. Makueni RFC are in Division 1 courtesy of their 2022 hard work that saw them win Dala 7s Division II. They will be looking to glow. Western Bulls too will be looking to clash with the giants in this pool and achieve success.
