Quest for glory begins as 2023 National Sevens Circuit gets underway in Dala 7s

The Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu will on Saturday 1 July mark the start of the 2023 National Sevens Circuit as teams battle for honours in the six-legged Series that will end with a final stop at the Kabeberi 7s on 9/10 September.

Reigning champions Menengai Oilers, who beat KCB to the overall crown last year, are the top seeds in the opening leg and will be keen to go one step better at the tournament this year having narrowly been beaten 19-14 by Homeboyz.

Ahead of the tournament, the Gibson Weru coached side tested themselves in the Embu 7s where they were beaten 26-0 by Strathmore Leos in the final but team captain Tyson Maina is confident the work behind the scenes has put them on the right path to getting off to a perfect start.

“Preparations have been good seeing as we have had a good five weeks of training before Embu 7s and around three weeks after the tournament. Our coaches have really done a good job getting us into the shape and ensuring that we are prepared for the circuit.

We are the defending champions and this presents us with a challenge that the boys are very ready to face head on. At the moment, our main aim is to do well in Kisumu. It is the first leg and we want to start well,” Maina is quoted on the club’s newsletter.

The reigning NSC champions are in Pool A alongside city rivals Nakuru, Nondescripts and Catholic Monks.

Last season’s NSC runners up KCB headline Pool B which features Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro and Mombasa while Strathmore Leos are in Pool C with Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons and hosts Kisumu.

Dala 7s champions Homeboyz headline Pool D and will battle it out with Mwamba, Western Bulls and last season’s overall division 2 champions Makueni.

Dala 7s Division 1 Pools

Pool A: Menenegai Oilers, Nakuru, Nondescripts, Catholic Monks

Pool B: KCB, Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro, Mombasa

Pool C: Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons, Kisumu

Pool D: Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, Makueni

Division 2 Pools

POOL A: Blak Blad, Sigalagala, University of Eldoret, Kisumu National Polytechnic

POOL B: Zetech Oaks, Meru, Border Rucks, Homa Bay

POOL C: Vihiga Granites, CITAM Kisumu, Kenya Prisons, Mbale

POOL D: Northern Suburbs, Embu, Eldoret, Siaya

POOL E: Kabarak University, Stallions, Molo, Bungoma

POOL F: Administration Police Warriors, Mount Kenya University, NYS Spades, Shamberere