S. OchiengKabras go two points clear in 7s standings after victory in Mombasa
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 11.07.23. | 18:34
After two legs in Kisumu and Mombasa, the six-legged outing takes a three week break to pave way for the World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Kabras Sugar RFC leapfrogged fierce rivals KCB to go two points clear in the 2023 National 7s Circuit following their victory in the Driftwood 7s that took place from 8-9 July at the Mombasa Sports Club in Mombasa.
The sugarmen made their second cup final of the current season, atoning for the 17-5 cup final loss at the season opening Dala 7s against KCB with a 10-7 sudden death extra time victory over Menengai Oilers.
With the game having been pushed to sudden death to determine the winner following a 7-7 draw in regulation time, Jone Kubu ensured Kabras walked away with the trophy as he nailed his drop kick attempt to seal the 10-7 win for the Western based side.
The result sees the sugarmen top the current standings on 41 points, two clear of second placed KCB (39 points) with Strathmore Leos (32 points), Menengai Oilers (31 points) and Kenya Harlequin (27 points) closing out the top five.
In the second division, UoE Trojans suffered cup final heartbreak for the second tournament in row, losing out 17-5 to Zetech Oaks in the second division final at the same venue.
The Trojans lead the second division on 38 points, three clear of second placed Oaks (35 points) while Stallions (28 points), MKU Thika (23 points) and Kabarak (22 points) round off the top five.
After two legs in Kisumu and Mombasa, the six-legged outing takes a three week break to pave way for the returning World Rugby U20 Trophy that will be hosted in the country from 15-30 July at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The men’s junior national rugby 15s side, Chipu, are in Group B together with Hong Kong China, Samoa and Spain while Group A will feature USA, Zimbabwe Uruguay and Scotland.
It is the second time Kenya are hosting the U20 Trophy, having done so in 2009 when the tournament was known as the Junior World Rugby Trophy.
Kenya finished that tournament in fourth place after a 19-17 third-place play-off defeat to Chile, which remains their best U20 Trophy finish to date.
Besides the silverware, the eight competing teams will also be playing for a spot in the World Rugby U20 Championship next year in South Africa.
The winners will be promoted to the U20 Championship replacing the team that finishes bottom in that competition (24 June - 14 July, South Africa) who will drop down to the U20 Trophy in 2024.
