2023 Dala 7s Pools released
By Joel Sang, June 27, 2023Pools for the opening round of the 2023 National Sevens Circuit event Dala Sevens have been announced ahead of the tournaments scheduled for Jomo Kenyatta Stadium Mamboleo on July 1 and 2.
The national Sevens Circuit champions Menengai Oilers are the top seeds for the season-opening Dala Sevens tournament that will be held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu City on Saturday and Sunday.
Pools
The Oilers have been grouped in Pool A alongside Nakuru, Nondescripts, and Catholic Monks, while KCB, who are last season’s National Sevens Circuit runners-up, are in Group B and will battle Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro, and Mombasa. The Bankers are pre-tournament favourites.
The Kenya Cup giants and reigning champions Kabras Sugar are in Pool C where they are set to face Strathmore Leos, the 2013 champions, Daystar Falcons, and Kisumu, while Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, and Makueni make are in Pool D.
Kabras are also the 2017 Dala Sevens winners.
History and breaks
Dala Sevens, which will be hosted by Kisumu RFC, have been played since 2003, but breaks were witnessed in 2006 and 2008. The break was occasioned by logistical challenges before another break was enforced in 2020–21 when the government enforced the COVID-19 rules.
In this year’s edition of the Dala Sevens, KCB will hope to continue with their impressive history given that they are the most successful side in the circuit.
The Bankers have won four titles, one more than Mwamba and the Homeboyz. Kenya Harlequin and Nakuru RFC have won two titles each. Strathmore Leos will be looking to win the Dalas Sevens and get their second title since they have won so far.
Clubs have been preparing for the tournament, and Mwamba have unveiled the new jersey that they will use during the season, while KCB have already made key signings.
Kenya Rugby rescheduled the fixtures for this year’s campaign and fixed the Tisap Sevens, which was initially set to take place on Saturday, June 24, to run Saturday, September 2, at the Eldoret Sports Club.
The second round of the national circuit, Driftwoods Sevens, will be held Saturday, July 8, at Mombasa Sports Club before the tournament takes a break and gives the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Nairobi in July space.
The national circuit will resume with the Prinsloo Sevens, which will be held at the Nakuru Athletics Club on Saturday, August 5.
The Christie Sevens is set to be staged in Nairobi on Monday, August 7, before the ultimate stage, the George Mwangi Kabeberi Memorial Sevens, is conducted on Saturday, September 9, in Nairobi too.
Fans are looking forward to witnessing teams battle for the National Sevens Circuit because the tournament, established in 1999, has established itself as a premier competition in rugby circles.
Teams will vie for the title by accumulating points based on performance in each circuit. This year’s edition will consist of six tournaments that will be staged in five towns.
The 2022 National Circuit champions, the Oilers, emerged as winners after they collected 113 total points across six legs. This was their maiden sevens title, and they were managed by Gibson Weru, who had led Nakuru RFC to triumph in the same tournament.
Dala Sevens
Pool A: Menenegai Oilers, Nakuru, Nondescripts, Catholic Monks
Pool B: KCB, Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro, Mombasa
Pool C: Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Daystar Falcons, Kisumu
Pool D: Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, Makueni
National Circuit fixtures
Dala 7s | Kisumu | July 1-2
Driftwood 7s | Mombasa | July 8-9
Prinsloo 7s | Nakuru | August 5-6
Christie 7s | Nairobi | August 12-13
Tisap 7s | Eldoret | September 2-3
Kabeberi 7s | Nairobi | September 9-10