Driftwood 7s: KCB close in on consecutive titles as Kabras, Leos out to register maiden wins in 2023 season

Having already bagged the 2023 season opening Dala 7s title last weekend in Kisumu, KCB RFC are bracing themselves for back-to-back titles in the second Driftwood 7s tournament ongoing at the Mombasa Sports Club.

After a blistering day one in the coastal stop, KCB, who are coached by retired Shujaa captain Andrew Amonde, made their intentions well known as they breezed past their opponents a little bit too easily and with some finesse to go with it.

The Bankers started with a 22-0 victory against returning Kenya Cup side Nondies before thumping varsity side Blak Blad 45-5 in their second group game.

A 17-5 victory over Nakuru would see them progress as winners in Pool A, setting their main cup quarter final clash against surprise packages Kisumu RFC who just managed to scrape through Pool B as runners up having had a better point differential than Homeboyz and hosts Mombasa after the trio all tied on five points behind table topping Kabras.

“As a team, our goal is always to win but the plan is taking one game at a time. Play the game ahead and win it. We have made the adequate preparations for the games and the target remains the main cup final,” KCB's Edmund Anya told Mozzart Sport.

Bidding to end KCB's threatening march to the title will be Dala 7s losing finalists Kabras Sugar RFC and Louis Kisia's enterprising Strathmore Leos who finished third last weekend. The two sides also managed a perfect day one to top their respective pools on their way to the main cup quarter finals.

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While Kabras face Nondies in the last 8, Leos face a challenging clash against a much more reinvigorated Kenya Harlequin side with an exciting mix of youngsters like Amon Wamalwa, the 2022 top points and top try scorer, Arnold Onzere, Jan Remke and experienced names like Zeden Marrow who are all under the tutelage of experienced former Shujaa coach Paul 'Pau' Murunga.

"We are not underestimating any team in this tournament so for us we are treating every match like a final. We are working on our skills and working very hard to fit the shorter version. If we shore up our defense we will be halfway there and hopefully improve on the Dala 7s performance," Kabras Sugar's Jone Kubu told Mozzart Sport.

"For us we need cool heads, maturity, clinicality until the very end and build on the momentum we have. Our weaknesses were on the kickoff last weekend but we believe we have worked on that if the first day is anything to go by," Kisia backed his Leos side.

Pool D winners Mwamba RFC are also seeking to present their case after winning all three games. They, however, face a difficult clash against a hurting Menengai Oilers who finished in second place behind Leos in pool C.

The overall 7s defending champions were also knocked out in the quarter finals last weekend and need to get back on track as fast as they can.

Main Cup quarter finals

KCB vs Kisumu

Mwamba vs Menengai Oilers

Kabras Sugar vs Nondescript

Strathmore Leos vs Kenya Harlequin