Bankers name skipper in team for Dala Sevens tournament
By Benson Mbare, July 2, 2022
Former Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde has been named in the travelling party of the national sevens circuit defending champions KCB ahead of this weekend’s Dala Sevens set to be staged in Kisumu.
This will be Amonde’s first appearance for the bankers this season after being on the team’s technical bench during the first two rounds in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The Banker’s head coach Dennis Mwanja also named fast-rising utility Bob Muhati in his line-up that will see the side being captained by the ever-present Michael Wanjala in the midfield of the bankers.
Brian Waihinya who was axed from the national team that departed to France ahead of the World Cup qualifiers will also feature in the Mwanja-coached side. Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has since named pools for the fourth round of the 2022 National Sevens Circuit, the Dala Sevens.
Pool A features Nondescripts RFC, and Nakuru RFC (Wanyore) and hosts Kisumu RFC. Pool B comprises Driftwood finalists Menengai Oilers, Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons and Masinde Muliro who earn an invitation after missing out on the action in Mombasa.
National Sevens Circuit champions and current leaders KCB will put their title defence in Kisumu on the line when they go against Strathmore Leos, Impala and Blak Blad in a competitive.
Pool C consists of Homeboyz, Kenya Harlequin, Zetech Oaks and Catholic Monks to complete Pool D. The second-tier competition has attracted 24 teams split into 6 pools of 4 teams each.
Heading to Dala, the bankers top the log standings with 58 points after edging the Leos 12-10 to lift the Kabeberi Sevens title. The bankers went on to lose to the varsity students 15-10 at the Christie Sevens final, collecting 17 points to reclaim the Series top spot.
Heading to Mombasa, KCB travelled to the coastal town while in second place but dislodged Leo’s to reclaim the top spot of the local circuit.
A podium finish and silverware win for Mwamba RFC who finished fifth at Kabeberi Sevens and Christie Sevens respectively, saw them collect 22 points for their tally of 48 points to stay fourth in the local rugby circuit.
Gibson Weru’s Menengai Oilers closed in on the leaders as they snatched 19 points from their exploits at Driftwood to bring their total to 53 points too. The Oilers had finished third at Kabeberi Sevens and Christie Sevens respectively.
Homeboyz, who finished fourth at Kabeberi Sevens, before slumping to win Challenge Trophy at Christie’s collected 15 points from the coastal city for their tally of 38 points to remain fifth.