Battle lines drawn as Mombasa hosts Driftwood Sevens with KCB keen to extend advantage

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RUGBY Battle lines drawn as Mombasa hosts Driftwood Sevens with KCB keen to extend advantage

Joel Omotto 09:15 - 08.07.2023

The bankers collected maximum points in the season-opening Dala Sevens but will face stiff competition from Kabras, Strathmore and Oilers

Mombasa is the place to be for rugby lovers as the Driftwood Sevens, the second round of the National Sevens Circuit takes place at the Mombasa Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday.

Early circuit leaders KCB will be out to extend their advantage but will have to contend with the challenge from Kabras Sugar, Strathmore Leos, Kenya Harlequin, reigning circuit champions Menengai Oilers and defending Driftwood champions Mwamba in the quest to crowned kings of Kenyan club sevens rugby in September.

KCB last won the Driftwood Sevens in 2019 but head to Mombasa high on confidence, having collected the maximum 22 points from the opening leg of the National Sevens Circuit following their 17-5 victory over Kabras Sugar in the cup final in Kisumu last weekend.

The bankers are three points clear of second-placed Kabras Sugar while Strathmore Leos are third after their dramatic 24-19 win over Kenya Harlequin in the third-place playoff. The Madaraka-based students are on 17 points while Quins are fourth on 15 points.

KCB are top seeds and headline Pool A which also has Nakuru, Nondescripts and Blak Blad while Pool B has Kabras Sugar, Homeboyz, Kisumu and hosts Mombasa.

Strathmore Leos, third place finishers in Kisumu, are in Pool C with reigning circuit champions Menengai Oilers, Catholic Monks and Masinde Muliro University while Kenya Harlequin headline Pool D which also comprises defending Driftwood champions Mwamba, Daystar Falcons and Kabarak University who won the division two competition in Kisumu.

Action also continues in the Division Two competition which features a total of 24 teams fighting for the sole ticket to the division one competition at the third round, the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru on August 5-6, 2023.

Western Bulls and Makueni who were both relegated after failing to make the top 12 in Kisumu have their work cut out in the unforgiving second tier that is known to spring surprises.

They will have to contend with the threats posed by teams such as UoE Trojans who were runners up in the Division Two competition in Kisumu as well as Embu, Stallions and Zetech Oaks, teams that all have a chance of sealing promotion to top tier action in Nakuru.

Driftwood Sevens

Division One

Pool A: KCB, Nakuru, Nondescripts, Blak Blad

Pool B: Kabras Sugar, Homeboyz, Kisumu, Mombasa

Pool C: Strathmore Leos, Menengai Oilers, Catholic Monks, Masinde Muliro

Pool D: Kenya Harlequin, Mwamba, Daystar Falcons, Kabarak University

Division Two

Pool A: Western Bulls, KCA University, Moi University, Taita Taveta

Pool B: Makueni, Kenya Prisons, South Coast Pirates, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic

Pool C: UoE Trojans, Northern Suburbs, Moi University, National Industrial Training Authority

Pool D: Embu, Mount Kenya University, TUM Marines, PUEA

Pool E: Stallions, NYS Spades, Nanyuki Jackals, Changamwe