Valuable Player: Mwamba leave it late for Prinsloo leg triumph

Mwamba required sudden death for a decisive try from tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) Michael Okello to dethrone Homeboyz off a 14-7 win to lift the Prinsloo Sevens Rugby leg at the Nakuru Athletic Club

‘Kulabu’s’ win now takes their title tally to two after four rounds of the series having won the first at home tournament Kinoru Stadium, Meru County.

Speaking at the back of their flawless Prinsloo campaign for their second title win, Mwamba captain Collins Injera disclosed how they went through a hard work phase in preparation for the event and is glad their effort paid off despite a nervy clash.

“Last season we lost to Homeboyz in the finals (19-12) so coming here, we knew we needed perfect preparation and we worked so hard for it and we are very happy for the second title as we are now left with two legs to decide this year’s overall winner,” said Injera.

First score

In the fifth minute of action, winger Jeremy Chimwani was denied a corner try for stepping out of the field, the resulting line-out led to a scrum down where Homeboyz failed to defend Injera hard run in their five-yard for the first score of the match. Halfback Tony Omondi slotted in the conversion to break with a 7-0 lead at half time.

On resumption, the Deejays gave Stanbic Mwamba a run for their money when Kenya international Alvin Otieno on a counterattack from their red zone, played in fellow international Augustine Lugonzo who raced all the way for a centre post try and converted own try to tie 7-7.

The two sides kept it all level until full time where the Deejays made a haunting decision to go for a penalty in the last play awarded by the centre referee off a sin bin punished tackle infringement by Mwamba winger Jeremy Chimwani.

Sudden death

Homeboyz flyhalf Mohammed Omollo missed the decisive penalty attempt to take their case to the sudden death where the Deejays failed to defend another shot by Kulabu, Michael Okello punched hard at the Deejays for a similar try to their opener for a full time 12-7 score.

Commenting on their second cup final appearance this season, the overall defending champs gave Mwamba credit for a good fighting spirit and competitiveness in this year’s circuit.

“Mwamba play good rugby and I must give them credit for how they handled the pressure. The loss is disappointing for us but the show is encouraging and we want to go back and improve on our game then return back stronger and win,” said Homeboyz head coach Jason Hector.