Muhuri Muchiri eye maiden national title

Could this be the year Muhuri Muchiri finally clinch the National Secondary Schools sevens rugby title?

The answer will be revealed at the National Secondary Schools Term Two A Games which get underway next Tuesday at Shimo la Tewa, Mombasa.

Muchiri fondly referred to as “Texas” will be making their second appearance at the Nationals, having featured last in 2015, where they reached the quarterfinals.

The Nairobi Region champions will be hoping to go all the way this year and lift their maiden national title.

In the absence of national champions Laiser Hill and East African champions St Peter’s, as well as two-time winners Kakamega High school and Upper Hill, this will be one of the most open championships since the competition was introduced in 2011.

“Texas” will certainly fancy their chances as one of the favourites for the competition.

In the Nairobi Region Games, Muchiri upset County Champions Upper Hill 28-5 in the semi-final enroute to their final clash against Nairobi School at Lenana School

The Njiru-based school were not to be denied in the final as they cruised to a 31-12 in the final to claim the title and most importantly, a place at the nationals alongside Nairobi School.

Muchiri coach Kikechi Kombo has challenge his charges to replicate the same from in Mombasa.

“I think we have one of the most experienced squads and are determined to show our worth. We played at the national two years ago, and we are back wiser and better prepared,” Kombo told Nation Sport.

He will rely on hookers Kevin Agwambo and Ammon Wamalwa to lead his team’s onslaught for the title in Mombasa. The duo were instrumental in the victory against Nairobi school drilling in two tries apiece to sink Nairobi School.

"The key to success in Mombasa will be to impose our quick game in all our matches and cut down on mistakes that will hand our opponents any advantage,” he added.

Muchiri’s main threat to the title will come from the 2011 winners Maseno School from Nyanza Region, 2015 finalists Kangaru school (Eastern) as well St Peter’s conquerors in the Western Region Games, Chavakali High and Rift Valley’s Menengai High School, who accounted for national winners Laiser Hill.

Hosts Coast Region will field four teams in the discipline because North Eastern will not be represented in the competition.

The other six regions will produce two teams each. Other disciplines on show during the week-long championship include under-16 football, handball, netball as well as athletics.

The top three schools in handball and netball will represent the country at the East African Secondary School Games set for August in Gulu, Uganda.