Kabeberi 7s: Champions KCB outwit Nakuru to defend title as Kabras falter
By Joel Sang, September 10, 2023KCB became champions of the National 7s Circuit after their arch-rivals Kabras fell in the quarterfinals of the Kabeberi 7s at RFUEA Ground on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
It was a double joy for KCB as they saw off Nakuru RFC to defend their Kabeberi 7s title.
KCB’s double joy
Buoyed by their overall title win, KCB outshone Nakuru, who were making their maiden appearance in the title, by picking up a 26-0 win in the final.
Michael Wamalwa scored the opening try for the Bankers, and Brian Wahinya converted for a 7-0 lead. Bob Muhati scored the second try to give the 2023 champions a 12-0 lead before the lead was extended to 19-0 in the second half.
KCB sealed the match with a try from Trevor Odawa, which ensured a huge 24-0 victory.
In the semi-final, KCB booked a place in the Kabeberi 7s final after beating Tisap 7s champions Nondescripts 12-7.
Levy Amunga and Wahinya scored for the Bankers to end the Nondies’ 10-match winning streak. Sankara Wafula scored for Nondies in the second half, but their resurgence was not enough to deny KCB a ticket to the final.
Kabras falter
Meanwhile, Kabras Sugar saw their title chase come to an end when they were defeated 12-5 by the outgoing champions, the Menengai Oilers, in the quarterfinals.
Kabras had a slight advantage to win the overall title as they were the circuit leaders with 92 points – one more than KCB – heading into the Kabeberi showdown.
Although they had an impressive campaign at the preliminary stage of the Kabeberi 7s, Kabras – who were without Jone Kubu, William Muhanji, Kevin Wekesa, Brian Tanga, and the dependable Lamech Ambetsa, could not progress further in the knockout stage. The unavailable players are with the national team at their training camp in Nakuru.
Getting knocked out at the quarters meant only one thing for the Prinsloo and Driftwood champions: KCB would be declared winners.
Kabras had a campaign to forget at the Tisap 7s duel in Eldoret when they left the competition at the quarters. But good performances at the opening stage of the Kabeberi 7s injected some title hope, which was blown away by the Oilers, the 2022 champions.
A 22-7 win over Daystar Falcons, followed by a 17-17 draw by Masinde Muliro University and a 21-10 win over Mwamba RFC, saw the Sugar Millers go top of Pool C only to falter at the first hurdle of the knockout phase.