Driftwood 7s: KCB edge Strathmore Leos by barest of margins to clinch title
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 27.07.25. | 18:49
In the bronze medal playoff, Kabras RFC recovered from a slow start to dispatch Nakuru RFC 21-10
KCB Rugby kicked off their 2025 National 7s Circuit campaign in perfect fashion, edging out a determined Strathmore Leos side 15-14 in a thrilling and physical Driftwood 7s final held on Sunday, 27 July at the Mombasa Sports Club.
The victory not only handed the Bankers their first title of the season, but also saw them take an early lead in the overall standings ahead of the second leg, the Prinsloo 7s.
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Strathmore Leos entered the pitch in 'Hope Mode On' merchandise in solidarity with their Team Manager Harold “Roldie” Tende, who is battling nasopharyngeal cancer.
KCB took advantage of early handling errors by the Leos, with referee Duncan Kioko awarding a scrum that led to the opening try.
Elvis Olukusi made no mistake, using his height and pace to stretch over the line. The conversion was off target, but the Bankers were up 5-0.
The errors continued to haunt Strathmore, and KCB punished them again.
Floyd Wabwire sliced through the defence to score the second try, but Festus Shiasi's conversion attempt again fell short.
Olukusi returned to the scoresheet with his second try of the game to take the halftime scores to 15-0 in favour of KCB.
Strathmore came back breathing fire after the break, with Barnabas Owuor giving the Leos a glimmer of hope through a well-worked try that was successfully converted, reducing the deficit to 15-7.
When Wabwire was sent to the bin for a high tackle on Samuel Wafula, Strathmore had the numerical advantage but failed to capitalise in KCB’s red zone. Still, they kept pressing.
With time ticking away, Strathmore thought they had won it, but a knock-on by Mwendwa in a promising move denied them.
However, they earned a penalty try moments later, converting it to bring the scores to 15-14. But the comeback was just too late, and referee Kioko’s final whistle ensured KCB walked away with the Driftwood 7s crown, by the barest of margins.
Third-place playoff: Kabras Overpower Nakuru
In the bronze playoff, Kabras RFC recovered from a slow start to dispatch Nakuru RFC 21-10.
Nakuru went ahead with the first try after a defensive lapse by Lameck Ambetsa but missed the conversion.
Kabras responded through Roy Maruti, who added the extras to take the lead. Brian Mutua then added another for Kabras before Maruti’s second conversion sent them to halftime with a 14-5 advantage.
The second half saw more injuries than tries, with Cyprian Ombasso and Jackson Siketi both going off.
Maruti added to his tally before Nakuru scored two late tries—both unconverted, as Kabras held on for a deserved third-place finish.
Meanwhile, Menengai Oilers lifted the Challenge Trophy after a 14-10 victory over Kenya Harlequin.
Zetech Oaks defeated NYS Spades 10-0 in the Division 2 final. The win secured Zetech Oaks a promotion to Division 1 ahead of next weekend’s Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru.
13th place final
Blak Blad 12-5 Kabarak – 14:54
Challenge final
Catholic Monks 25-0 Kabete Stallions – 15:14
5th place final
Kenya Harlequin 7-14 Menengai Oilers- 15:34
3rd place
Kabras 21-10 Nakuru – 15:54
Cup Division 1
Strathmore Leos 14-15 KCB – 16:44
