Brilliant fight-back earns Kabras back-to-back titles

Kabras Sugar captain Brian Tanga (centre) leads his teammates in celebrating with the Christie 7s title on October 15, 2017 at RFUEA grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • An impressive second half fightback from Kabras Sugar saw them beat Resolution Impala Saracens 19-7 on Sunday and retain this year’s edition of the Christie Sevens at the RFUEA grounds. 
  • It was Kabras’ second successive win after last weekend’s triumph at the Sepetuka Sevens in Eldoret where they also defeated Impala 26-7 in the final.
  • The win took the sugar millers to the top of the National Sevens Circuit with 85 points ahead of this weekend’s final leg - Dala Sevens in Kisumu. 

An impressive second half fightback from Kabras Sugar saw them beat Resolution Impala Saracens 19-7 on Sunday and retain this year’s edition of the Christie Sevens at the RFUEA grounds. 

It was Kabras’ second successive win after last weekend’s triumph at the Sepetuka Sevens in Eldoret where they also defeated Impala 26-7 in the final.

The win took the sugar millers to the top of the National Sevens Circuit with 85 points ahead of this weekend’s final leg - Dala Sevens in Kisumu. 

Impala started strongly and Leo Seje gave them the lead as he showed the Kabras defence a clean pair of heels to score the try and Mark Kwemoi converted to make it 7-0.

The Sarries suffered a blow as Ian Minjire was sinbinned and Kabras captilised as Ugandan Philip Wokorach reduced the deficit to 7-5 just before the break. 

Dan Sikuta and Malik  Habib each scored a try in the second half as Wokorach dully converted to complete the comeback.

“We responded well after falling behind and totally dominated them in the second half. We are at the top and we have fate in our own hands now,” said Kabras Sugar coach Charles Cardovillis.

Nondies won the Challenge Trophy after cruising to a 36-14 win over Western Bulls.

In the third place play-off, Top Fry Nakuru secured a 12-5 win over hosts Kenya Harlequin as Mwamba finished fifth after defeating Kenya Commercial Bank 21-10 thanks to Kenya Sevens speedster Collins Injera’s heroics. 

To get to the final, Kabras Sugar narrowly edged out Top Fry Nakuru 19-12 as Impala Saracens overcame hosts Kenya Harlequin 17-10 in the semi-finals.

In the Kabras versus Nakuru semis, Gramwel Bunyasi gave Wanyore the lead after weaving  from the left before touching down between the post.

Donald Olouch’s conversion pushed the scoreline to 7-0.

Uganda international Wokorach danced past the Nakuru last man and touched down with Dominic Osino converting to level the scores.

Wokorach added his second at the right corner for a 12-7 lead. Kenya Sevens’ Brian Tanga took advantage of Wanyore’s mishandling skills and made a 22 metre sprint for a try as Osino once again converted for a 19-7 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Rift Valley- based Nakuru responded with a try through Kenyan International Oscar Ouma, but Kabras held on to win 19-12 and book a date with Impala in the final.

Nakuru had earlier on eliminated Series Champions Menengai Cream Homeboyz 17-12 in the main cup quarterfinals.

In the other last four tie, Impala took an early against Quins as Mark Kwemoi went over the try line but his conversion sailed wide. After sustained pressure, Quins was rewarded when Max Theuri bullied his way to to make the try but Ugandan Aaron Ofoyrwoth was unsuccessful in his attempt to add the extras as the match headed to the break tied at five- all.

Immediately after resumption Eden Agero raced over 30 metres to touch down,handing his side a 10-5 lead before Sammy Oliech touched down to level matters for the Sarries.

Impala would win it at the sound of the hooter as Richard Sidindi grabbed a try under the posts to send his side to the final with a 17-10 score line.

Makueni won the division two title after they beat Webuye 19-12 in the final and will now play in the top division at this weekend's final leg of the series at the Dala Sevens in Nakuru.