Kenya hit ground running for Tests

Kenya captain Brian Nyikuli believes his team has overcome the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals and was looking ahead to a great season.

The team is currently preparing for international Test matches against Portugal on Saturday and Spain on July 18.
Nyikuli said the long mourning was over and every player was now hungry and ready to chase after new conquests.

He said playing Portugal and Spain was something special that presented another opportunity for Kenya to showcase the progress of the 15s game.

After hosting Portugal, Kenya will travel to Harare for a date with Zimbabwe in the first of their Africa Rugby Division 1A fixtures on June 13. They will then host Tunisia in their second encounter of Division 1A on June 28 in Nairobi before taking on Spain on July 18 in a Test match.

Kenya will wind up a busy international schedule with a Division 1A match away to the Rugby World Cup-bound Namibia on August 8.

“We shall rise to top 25 in World Rugby ranking if we are to win the five matches and that will put us in a better place on the world map,” said Nyikuli after a team training session at Barclays Bank, Ruaraka grounds over the weekend.
“I believe by the time we meet Namibia, we shall be in tip top form.”

WORLD RUGBY ATTENTION

He said rising to top 25 in World Rugby ranking will bring Kenya to World Rugby attention and consequently attract more funding from the game’s world governing body.

Spain is currently placed 20th in World Rugby standings, Namibia are 22nd, Portugal 23rd, Zimbabwe 28th, Kenya 32nd and Tunisia 36th.
The Test between Kenya and Portugal will be held at Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground.

Elsewhere, Eighth man Don Otieno touched down a hat trick of tries as Maseno crushed Strathmore 21-0 to recapture the Blackrock rugby festival title on Saturday at St Mary’s School, Nairobi.

The highly-charged final saw end-to-end play but it’s Maseno, who could have won by an even bigger margin.
Otieno sneaked in a try off a scrum to put Maseno, the 2013 winners ahead 7-0 at the break and in line for their second Blackrock title. Maseno lost to Rift Valley in last year’s final.

Otieno used his power and pace to tear through the centre field, crushing through several tackles before landing arguably what was the most thrilling try of the tournament. 

A series of attacks from Strathmore’s forwards Michael Amollo and Douglas Thinwa and backs Wanjau Kahoro, Leonard Koyio and Edward Tambo yielded no fruits as they lost the ball easily at the breakdowns.

The Maseno would strike again when Sungu surged through the middle, unleashed a pass to fullback Walter Oteko on the left. Oteko dummied Strathmore’s defense before laying through Otieno, who danced all way for his final and winning try that denided Strathmore their maiden Blackrock win.

“It feels awesome to score a hat trick but it’s all about teamwork and I must commend all the players for this victory,” said Otieno, who is turning 17 in July.

“My dream is to play for Homeboyz and later Kenya 15s and 7s,” said the elated Otieno, the former three student, who was declared tournament most valuable player.

Maseno captain Sylvester Gecheo said the victory will inspire them ahead of the National Schools Sevens Championships in two weeks’ time in Nyeri and later the East Africa School Championships in August in Kigali, Rwanda.

Maseno had thumped Lenana 28-0 while Strathmore had labored to edge out defending champions Rift valley Academy 10-7 in the main Cup semi-finals. In the quarters, Rift Valley beat Makini 15-0; Strathmore edged out St Mary’s 21-0; Maseno stopped Ofafa Jericho 7-0 while Lenana pipped Nairobi School 1-0.

Kiambu lifted Plate trophy after beating Aquinas 35-0 while St Aloysius were bowl winners courtesy of their 28-0 victory over Dagoretti.