Gallant Kabras retain Christie Sevens crown

Kabras Sugar on Sunday afternoon successfully defended the  Christies Sevens  title after thrashing an equally enterprising opponent in Impala Saracens, winning 19-07 in an enticing match at the RFUEA grounds that saw Philip Wokarach named player of the tournament .

Impala  threatened to scuttle Kabras’ dream  taking a 7-5 lead at the break but  the indefatigable Wokarach side-stepped his opponent to go under the post to take the lead at 12-05, and thereafter Kenya international Brian Tanga converted to stretch the advantage to 14-5.

The win takes Kabras to the top of the National Sevens Circuit at the expense of Homebopyz who lost 17-12 to Nakuru at the quarter finals .

Kabras will now aim at qualifying for the Cup quarters at the Dala Sevens, the last leg of the circuit which takes place in Kisumu this weekend.

Should Kabras qualify for the quarters, they’ll be crowned champions of the 2018 National Sevens Circuit.This is after collecting 22 points and sit at the top of the log on  85 points  in the just concluded Christies Sevens .

Impala Saracens, on the other, hand are second with 80 points followed by “The deejays” with 78 points. Nakuru and Oilers come in third and fourth with 73 and 68 points respectively.

At the RFUEA grounds, Impala paid  the heavy price for two consecutive yellow cards before half-time which reduced them to six men.

Ian Minjire was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle as they battled it out with Kabras while Samson Onsom also suffered a similar fate in the second half which reduced them to five men, giving Kabras the advantage.

“We have been consistent throughout, qualifying for the Cup quarters in every circuit. Discipline and focus has been our main drive to success though in the final some of our players were over-excited hence the two yellow cards which cost us  victory,” Impala  coach Oscar Osir lamented after the defeat.

His opposite number, Charles  Cardiovillis,  formerly  of Kenya Harlequins said that the  inclusion of danger man  Wokarach inspired fans to travel all the way from Kakamega to cheer them.

“We worked on our defence line and positive results have been seen. We played well in the circuit and we have proved that we are up to the task,”Cardiovillis said.

Meanwhile,Nakuru RFC came third overall after thrashing  Harlequins 12-5 in the third place play off. Mwamba who had their best season managed to secure a fifth place play off  by seeing off KCB 21-10.

Standings after Christie 7s

Kabras 85

Imapala 80

Homeboyz 78

Nakuru 73

Oilers 68

KCB 67

Harlequins 57

Report by Edwin Mbare