Kenya Harlequin crowned Nations Sevens Circuit champions
Rugby
By
Ben Ahenda
| Sep 15, 2024
Kenya Harlequin celebrate with fans during the Prinsloo Sevens. [Kipsang Joseph,Standard]
Kenya Harlequin are the National Sevens Circuit winners.
They achieved the feat after winning in fifth place place after dismissing hosts Nakuru RFC 35-7 in a mouthwatering match in the Prinsloo Sevens at Nakuru Athletic Club on Sunday.
As a result, Harlequin collected 13 points that enabled them to amass unassailable 110 points to win the series title.
Kabras Sugar are the runners up with 105 points ahead of Menengai Oilers 102 points. Kabras Sugar defeated Menengai Oilers 17-0 in the playoffs to finish third in the Prinsloo Sevens.
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Against all predictions, Strathmore University Leos are the 2024 Prinsloo Sevens champions.
Leos achieved the feat after dismissing Nondescripts 33-7 yesterday. On their way to the finals, Nondescripts defeated Kabras Sugar 15-5 as Strathmore Leos walloped Menengai Oilers 17-12.
Nondescripts were the first to touch down through Pascal Timmy who missed the conversion. Benson Salim added the second try with no conversion for 10-0 lead.
Kabras Sugar's Kenya Under-20 international Jackson Sikela touched down for the half time score to stand 10-5 in favour of Nondies.
Ng'enya Moseti added the third try for the white shirts as the sugar millers pressed on but could not match the gravity of their opponents. In the second semi-final match, Strathmore Leos walloped Menengai Oilers 17-12.
Oilers scored first through Lucky Onyango with a conversion by Buwale Wesonga. George Ouru 'Japolo' scored Leos first try converted by Arnold Nyakiago with only a few minutes to halftime.
Leos second try came via Collins Maina and for the second time missed the conversion. Dennis Abukuse added the second try for Oilers and it was converted for a 12-12 deadlock in the second half.
Ouru scored a sudden death try to be converted by Nyakiago for Leos to proceed to the finals.
And it was a sad afternoon for Nakuru teams when Menengai Oilers defeated Nakuru RFC 24-17 in a mouthwatering quarter-final match after the two teams tied 17-17 at one time only for Dennis Abukuse to snatch a last minute try for Oilers and conversion that made all the difference.
And therefore, Nakuru RFC dropped to the fifth place contention where they dismissed Stallions 24-5 to romp into the finals where they lost to the eventual circuit champions Kenya Harlequin 35-7.
Harlequin had earlier mauled Kenyatta University's Black Blad 22-5 in the semi-finals of the same event (Fifth Place).
In other quarter-final matches of the Main Cup, Kenya Harlequin succumbed 12-15 in the hands of Nondescripts.
KCB defeated Daystar Falcons 43-7 for the ninth place. KCB head Oliver Mang'eni attributed their lucklustre performance to injury of five key players.
"We could not match our opponents after we incurred unexpected injuries at the group stages. It also gave our youngsters a chance to showcase their talents," Mang'eni told Standard Sports.
In the 13th place finals between Mombasa RFC and Mwamba ended in favour of the coastal lads who won 19-15.
And Impala won the women's event, Impala won the title after hitting Mwamba 33-0 in the finals.
FINAL
Nondescripts 7 Strathmore Leos 33
SEMIFINALS
Oilers 12 Strathmore Leos 17
Nondescripts 15 Kabras Sugar 5.
QUARTERS-FINALS
Oilers 24 Nakuru RFC 17
Harlequin 12 Nondescripts 15
Kabras Sugar 10 Blak Blad 0.
Strathmore Leos 26 Stallions 5
FIFTH PLACE FINAL
Nakuru RFC 7 Kenya Harlequin 35
WOMEN FINALS
Impala 33 Mwamba 0