Dala 7s Preview: Who shines in Kisumu?

The fourth leg of the 2022 National Sevens Circuit, Dala 7s, is set to light up the lakeside city of Kisumu this weekend when teams descend at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo from 2-3 July.

Being the third last outing of the campaign before the circuit comes to a close, this tournament may prove to be invaluable to winners as action slowly approaches its business end.

As things stand, it is overall defending champions KCB RFC who top the pile on 58 points, five ahead of second and third placed Strathmore Leos and Menengai Oilers who are tied on 53 points after the opening three circuits.

Just behind them, Mwamba sit in fourth on the log on 48 points with Homeboyz rounding off the top five on 38 points.

So far, the national circuit has proved to be no walk in the park. All the three outings that have so far been played has produced different winners on each occasion with KCB lifting the season opening Kabeberi 7s, Leos (Christie 7s) before Mwamba clinched the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa. Will we get a new winner in Kisumu?

Pool A

Driftwood 7s champions Mwamba RFC headline Pool A where they will be squaring it out against Nondies, Nakuru and hosts Kisumu RFC. In their quest to fight for the overall title, Kulabu will be hoping to once again go all the way when they take to the pitch.

Pool B

Driftwood 7s finalists Menengai Oilers will be seeking to become one of the sides to have lifted a main cup trophy when they play in Kisumu. In Mombasa, the Gibson Weru coached side made it to the main cup finals for the first time and will be hoping that is a sign of things to come.

The Nakuru side are joined by an enterprising Daystar Falcons, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and Kabras Sugar in that pool.

Pool C

Labelled as the Group of Death, this pool will see KCB and Leos renew their rivalry once again after fierce clashes in the opening three legs. The Dennis Mwanja and Loius Kisia coached sides will head to Kisumu reeling and eager to overcome disappointing outings at the Driftwood 7s where both teams, for the first time this season, failed to make the main Cup final.

The duo are pooled alongside a hapless Blackblad and Impala Saracens who have flattered to be decisive in the circuit this season.

Pool D

This group will see Homeboyz RFC who have been playing edge of the seat rugby come up against Kenya Harlequins and two varsity sides in Zetech and Catholic Monks.