Driftwood 7s: Menengai Oilers stun top seeds KCB as Kabras shoot down Leos in epic semifinal clashes

After being beaten in the main cup quarter-final stage by KCB in the season-opening Dala 7s, Menengai Oilers got the perfect revenge over their opponents as they recorded an epic 17-12 win to deny the Bankers a final spot in the Driftwood 7s ongoing at the Mombasa Sports Club on Sunday afternoon.

With the full-time hooter having sounded and the game looking set for sudden death, Kenya 7s ace Dennis Abukuse single-handedly took matters into his own hands as he raced all the way from his half and past the try line to touch down the match-winning effort that knocked out the top seeds from the tournament.

The try, which was unconverted, came as a relief to the Gibson Weru-coached side who looked like they would not be able to hold onto the 12-0 lead they had given themselves after a bright start to the match where Beldad Ogeta and Davis Nyaundi had struck in the first half.

Two tries from Levy Amunga and a brilliant solo effort from captain Vincent Onyala saw the side coached by former Shujaa captain Andrew Amonde display their mental strength to tie the game 12-12.

A couple of knock-on errors however came at a cost for the Bankers as Abukuse's match-winning moment came on the back of the resultant scrum, sending Oilers into the main cup final as KCB crashed in their bid to win back-to-back titles.

Dennis Ng'ang'a's technical prowess in effectively marshaling Gor's backline last season

In the second semi, losing finalists Kabras Sugar successfully made it to another title-deciding match after coming from behind to beat an enterprising Strathmore Leos 12-7.

The students took an early 0-7 lead but strikes from William Muhanji and Griffin Chao ensured the sugarmen booked their spot in the final alongside Oilers as both sides look to clinch their maiden titles in the 2023 season.

KCB and Leos will face off in the 3/4th place playoff match.

13th place semi

Mombasa v Catholic Monks 0-7

Blak Blad v Kabarak 12-7

Challenge semi

Nakuru v Daystar Falcons 10-5

Homeboyz v Masinde Muliro 17-12

5th place semi

Kisumu v Mwamba 0-19

Nondescripts v Kenya Harlequin 7-12

Main cup semi

KCB v Menengai Oilers 12-17

Kabras Sugar v Strathmore Leos 12-7

Cup final

Menengai Oilers vs Kabras Sugar

3/4th Place Playoff

KCB vs Strathmore Leos