Impala handed top tier invite as Christie 7s Pools are confirmed

Former Kenya Cup side Impala RFC will for the first-time feature in the Division 1 category in the 2023 National Sevens Circuit after landing an invite to the Christie 7s tournament set to be played this weekend 12/13 August at the RFUEA Grounds.

The Kenya Harlequin hosted tournament, that will mark the fourth outing of the six-legged Series, will see Impala mark their return to the top tier after they failed to finish inside the top 12 from last season in order to be considered in the opening leg of the new campaign and never received any invites in all three previous tournaments.

The team have been grouped in Pool A where they will face current Circuit leaders Kabras Sugar, Nakuru and Masinde Muliro.

Hosts Kenya Harlequin, beaten finalists at the Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru, headline Pool B which also features Homeboyz, Daystar Falcons and Blak Blad who are the other team to be invited to the tourney.

KCB are in Pool C with Christie 7s defending champions Strathmore Leos, Catholic Monks and Kisumu.

Reigning circuit champions Menengai Oilers are in Pool D with Mwamba, Nondescripts and Sigalagala National Polytechnic who were promoted to the top division after winning the division two competition in Nakuru last weekend.

Following their victory in Nakuru, Kabras Sugar moved seven points clear at the top of the National 7s Circuit after defeating Kenya Harlequin 10-5 to win the Prinsloo 7s, collecting 22 points to take their tally to 63 points after cup final defeat in Kisumu and victory at the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa.

KCB remain second on the log on 56 points as reigning circuit champions Menengai Oilers and Kenya Harlequin occupy the third and fourth positions on 46 points.

Strathmore Leos close out the top five on 44 points with Mwamba (39 points), Homeboyz (28 points), Nakuru (27 points), Nondescripts (23 points) and Kisumu ( 20 points) closing out the top ten.

Christie 7s Division 1 Draw

Pool A: Kabras Sugar, Nakuru, Masinde Muliro, Impala Saracens

Pool B: Kenya Harlequin, Homeboyz, Daystar Falcons, Blak Blad

Pool C: KCB, Strathmore Leos, Catholic Monks, Kisumu

Pool D: Menengai Oilers, Mwamba, Nondescripts, Sigalagala