KCB crackle but Catholic Monks steal Day 1 show
Homeboyz Oscar Ayodi in action against host team Mwamba at the George Mwangi Kabeberi Sevens on August 2, 2014. Mwamba won 12-7. All the top team’s made it to the Cup quarter-finals on August 3, 2014. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION
What you need to know:
- All big guns ease into Cup quarter-finals as national circuit begins
- National Sevens Circuit champions KCB led the other big guns Kenya Harlequins, Nakuru, Strathmore, Mwamba, Homeboyz and Impala Saracens in sealing their last eight slots but it was Catholic Monks who stole the show at the opening round of the five-leg series.
Catholic Monks upset the form book on Saturday to qualify for today’s Cup quarter-finals of the Kabeberi Sevens at Nairobi Railways Club.
National Sevens Circuit champions KCB led the other big guns Kenya Harlequins, Nakuru, Strathmore, Mwamba, Homeboyz and Impala Saracens in sealing their last eight slots but it was Catholic Monks who stole the show at the opening round of the five-leg series.
Monks won two games and lost one to finish second in Pool A behind KCB, who collected maximum points. The university side upset Western Bulls 19-15 in their first game. They impressed the crowd with their counter attacking game.
Tries from Foster Arens and Eli Ojwang saw the Monks take a shock 10-0 lead over their illustrious opponents, Bulls. A conversion by Ojwang gave them a half time lead of 12-5. Bulls rallied in the second half scoring an early try to reduce the deficit to two points but they were unable to make the conversion that would have seen them pull level.
Monks gathered themselves to seize the initiative and extend their lead as Ojwang scored a try in between the posts before converting to give his side the lead for good. In their second game, the debutants got a baptism of fire after they were hammered 43-7 by champions KCB.
BOUNCED BACK
They however bounced back to beat Kisumu 14-7 and famously seal their place in the quarter-final.
For your information, Catholic Monks will replace Kisumu in the coming Kenya Cup season after the latter were relegated.
“We came here to show that our promotion was no fluke and that we deserve this place. We want to challenged for the crown in the circuit,” said the team’s assistant coach Louis Boyi. KCB made it three wins out of three to reveal their intentions of retaining their title.
They beat Kisumu 17-5 in their first match before seeing off Western Bulls 19-0 giving interim coach Dennis Mwanja a good start to his tenure.
Quins, the 2012 champions topped Pool B after thrashing Daystar 36-0 in their opening match.
