Kabeberi 7s: Tessen Sports, Oilers, KCB, Kabras off to a good start

The much-anticipated final leg of the 2023 National 7s Circuit; Kabeberi 7s kicked off at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi. Round one was drenched in rain that challenged the players’ and spectators’ ability.

Pool A

Blak Blad kicked off their Kabeberi 7s campaign on a low footing, losing 26-0 to the newly introduced Tessen Sports Warriors. Blak Blad have qualified for two quarterfinals in Christie and Tisap 7s tournaments and will be looking to go past the stage. They will meet Kenya Harlequins in their next pool match.

Tessen Warriors were under the tutelage of Innocent Simiyu, with the squad made up of key names like Ugandans Faraji Odugo, Sydney Gongodyo, Conrad Wanyama, and Roy Kizito.

Odugo was part of the Uganda 7s Africa 7s training squad while Gongodyo and Wanyama just won Uganda 7s Series 2023 with Pirates.

Kenya Harlequins failed to sparkle in their opening match, going down 12-7 to Tisap 7s champions Nondies RFC. This is the third time the Quins have lost an opening match.

They lost to Daystar Falcons in Christie 7s before going down to Kisumu in their Tisap 7s opening match. They will be looking to bounce back to qualify for the quarterfinals. The Quins failed to reach the quarters in Tisap 7s.

Nondies RFC were looking to pick up from where they left off in Eldoret last week to emerge winners of the 2023 Kabeberi 7s.

Pool B

In this pool, Impala RFC were out to make one statement; they were no longer underdogs. The Gazelles began their title hunt with a bang, hitting favorites Kisumu RFC 28-0. Impala disappointed during Christie 7s and they were looking to right their wrongs.

Meanwhile, Nakuru RFC and Strathmore Leos shared 5-5 spoils in the brutally physical affair. It was at these same grounds that both teams nearly won the coveted Christie 7s title following losses to KCB Rugby. Nakuru RFC lost to KCB Rugby in the semis while the Leos lost in the finals.\

Pool C

Hosts Mwamba RFC made a resounding statement after winning 17-5 over Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby. The Blackmen narrowly lost to Strathmore Leos at the semifinal stage in Tisap 7s and will be keen to go further.

They are also in hunt for the coveted title and are backed by a noisy ‘kulabu’ home support.

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Kabras RFC travelled to Nairobi keen to cause an upset. The Sugarmen had reached the semis of the past legs until Tisap 7s where they lost 19-7 to Mwamba RFC at the quarterfinals.

They kicked off their title hunt with a 22-7 win over Daystar Falcons and will play Kakamega neighbors MMUST in the next game.

Pool D

Moi University Arsonists received a rude welcome to the Division 1 category after suffering a 50-0 shock in the hands of KCB Rugby. The Arsonists were promoted to Division 1 category after losing 21-19 to USIU in the Division II category finals during Tisap 7s.

Menengai Oilers who are set to lose their title as the National 7s Circuit defending champions this weekend defeated Catholic Monks 21-5.

Round 1 collated results

Tessen Warriors 26-0 Blak Blad

Nondies 12-7 Quins

Impala 28-0 Kisumu RFC

Strathmore Leos 5-5 Nakuru RFC

Kabras RFC 22-7 Daystar Falcons

Mwamba RFC 17-5 MMUST Rugby

KCB Rugby 50-0 Moi Arsonists

Menengai Oilers 21-5 Catholic Monks