MMUST captain assesses their National 7s Circuit run so far

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby have had a mixed run in this year’s National 7s Circuit.

The Kakamega-based students have shown flashes of potential while still searching for consistency.

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The students’ highlight came at the recently concluded Embu 7s, where they reached their first-ever semifinal in the series.

MMUST’s spirited charge was halted by a clinical KCB side, who handed them a 31-5 defeat.

They later dropped to the third-place playoff but lost to Menengai Oilers to settle for fourth place, collecting 15 points.

Earlier in the campaign, MMUST advanced to the quarterfinals of Driftwood 7s before being stopped by Kabras RFC.

They later fell to Menengai Oilers in the fifth-place playoff to finish sixth overall with 10 points.

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However, their momentum dipped in the Prinsloo and Christie 7s, where they failed to reach the quarters, managing just one and five points respectively.

Despite the ups and downs, team captain Veron Kaburu remains optimistic about the group’s progress.

“Our performance has not been good, but we are learning and improving gradually. Most of our players are junior players, so we are taking them slowly, but at the same time, giving them pressure to improve. Day by day, we get better,” Kaburu said.

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The captain further pointed out that the team’s late start to preseason cost them in terms of preparation, but emphasized the need to stop relying on excuses.

“Our results are not the best, but so far, so good. We should have no excuses. We have two tournaments remaining, and we cannot keep telling ourselves that we will improve in the next one. We set targets, but we targeted quarters in all our games. Once we get to the quarters, we adjust our plans,” he continued.

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They currently sit ninth on the overall standings with 31 points.

MMUST will be looking to build on their semifinal breakthrough as the circuit enters its final stretch.

The captain also acknowledged the gap between student sides and established clubs, but insisted that varsity teams are growing in competitiveness.

“Teams like KCB are more experienced and play really good rugby. For varsity teams like us, we have a new squad, unlike CUEA and Zetech, who have retained the majority of their players. But since we are all the same age, it makes it even more competitive; we all want to prove ourselves,” he noted.

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MMUST will next face a tough pool test that pits them against CUEA Monks, Daystar Falcons, and Homeboyz RFC, as they chase another strong outing in the circuit.