Unbeaten KCB, Menengai Oilers advance to Dala 7s quarters, day two pairings confirmed
KCB RFC, Menengai Oilers, Homeboyz and Catholic Monks qualified for the Dala 7s quarters following an unbeaten run in the group stage matches played at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo, Kisumu County, on Saturday.
For the fourth time this season, the reigning Dala 7s Champions advanced to the quarterfinals as pool winners. They began their championship defence with a 31-0 win over Blak Blad. In the second match, they defeated Impala Saracens 19-10.
Dennis Mwanja’s charges ended their day by pipping Strathmore Leos 21-10. The National Sevens Champions got nine points following a 100% win record and have been scheduled to play Pool C runners-up Catholic Monks in the fourth Cup quarter.
After a great run in the Driftwood second tier, Monks were promoted to the Dala 7s top tier. In their opening encounter, they maintained their form in Dala, drawing 17-17 with Homeboyz. They then defeated Kenya Harlequin 19-14 in the second clash. In their last match, they defeated Zetech Oaks 10-5 to go to the round of eight.
Mwamba RFC are in the first-quarter final match versus MMUST Rugby Club. Mwamba, making their fourth consecutive quarterfinal participation this season, won pool A with seven points after suffering only one setback in the group phase, a 24-22 loss to Nakuru RFC. Their first-round win of 26-7 against Kisumu RFC and the final round 24-15 over Nondies enabled them to get to the quarterfinals.
Their opponents MMUST are featuring in the competition’s quarters for the second time this season. They made it to this stage after a 31-12 loss to Menengai Oilers and bounced back to winning ways with a 15-12 win over Kabras RFC in a Lurambi Derby. They proceeded to the last eight despite being held to a 12-12 draw by Daystar Falcons in the final match of Pool B.
Homeboyz and Strathmore Leos are set to face off in the second quarterfinal match. The Deejayz won Pool D with eight points after two wins and a draw. Oscar Ayodi-coached side will be appearing in the quarters for the third time this season, while Strathmore Leos have played in all quarters this season. Strathmore Leos finished second in pool C behind KCB.
Menengai Oilers also had a 100% win record in the pool stage and will tackle Nondies in the Cup quarters once again. It will be a repeat of the Driftwood 7s quarter, which the Oilers won 10-7 two weeks ago.
The matches are expected to kick off at 10:20 and will be preceded by the Challenge Trophy. Kabras, Nakuru RFC, and Impala Saracens are some of the sides that failed to qualify for the Cup quarters and will play in the Challenge Trophy.
Cup Quarters
Mwamba RFC vs MMUST Rugby Club
Homeboyz vs Strathmore Leos
Menengai Oilers vs Nondies
KCB Rugby vs Catholic Monks
Challenge Trophy.
Nakuru RFC vs Daystar Falcons
Kenya Harlequin vs Impala Saracens
Kabras RFC vs Kisumu RFC
Blak Blad vs Zetech Oaks