Kisii RFC clinch KRU Nationwide title after one-point win over NYS
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 10.05.25. | 20:22
Both teams had already earned promotion to the KRU Championship, but the battle for silverware provided plenty of fireworks in what turned out to be a thrilling finale
Kisii RFC have been crowned the 2024/25 Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Nationwide champions after edging National Youth Service (NYS) Spades 25-24 in a dramatic final played on Saturday, 10 May at the NYS Grounds in Ruaraka.
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The tightly contested encounter saw momentum swing both ways, but it was Kisii who held their nerve in the dying minutes to secure a memorable win and lift the coveted title.
Both teams had already earned promotion to the KRU Championship, but the battle for silverware provided plenty of fireworks in what turned out to be a thrilling finale.
Kisii RFC drew first blood with an early converted try to take a 7-0 lead.
NYS Spades, who had stunned Kenya Prisons RFC in the semis, hit back with a converted try of their own to level the scores. They then surged ahead with an unconverted try, making it 12-7.
Kisii’s resilience and tactical discipline shone through as they clawed back with a penalty and a converted try to take a 17-12 advantage.
NYS would briefly reclaim the lead with another converted try to make it 19-17, only for Kisii to respond with a composed drop goal and another unconverted try to stretch their lead to 25-19.
NYS threatened a late comeback with an unconverted try, but it was not enough as Kisii RFC dug deep to preserve their one-point lead until the final whistle.
The victory caps off a landmark week for Kisii RFC’s head coach, Lee Arstone, who recently received his World Rugby Level One Accreditation in 15s.
Arstone previously guided Kisii School to three National 15s titles, finishing runners-up in 2025.
Speaking after the match, the visibly excited coach noted that the win was a sign that they were ready for the 2025/26 KRU Championship season.
Arstone went on to dedicate the win to the Kisii community, which has supported them in the journey.
“This win is not just for the team, but for the entire Kisii community that has supported us through it all. The boys showed incredible heart and discipline, and I could not be prouder.
We came to Nairobi with a purpose, and I am happy that we have achieved it,” he said.
