Giants sail easily to Dala Cup quarters

Three top teams at the helm of the National Sevens Circuit on Saturday qualified for Cup quarters of the Dala Sevens after impressive performances in day one of action at the Mambo Leo showground in Kisumu.

Some top teams on Friday withdrew from the Dala tournament citing security fears due to the volatile political situation in the lakeside city occasioned by the repeat presidential elections, but it did not deter the fighting spirits of the teams which rocked the action to the amazement of fans.

Kabras Sugar, Impala Saracens and Menengai Homeboyz were all spot on, sailing to the quarters with 100 percent records.

With the qualification of the big guns, the fight promises to elicit fireworks on Sunday when the curtains come down on the Sevens Circuit.

Kabras Sugar became the first team to qualify for the Cup quarters after thrashing hosts Kisumu RFC 24-0 and later outclassing Makueni RFC 12-0 in a hard fought victory to boost their chances of lifting the title.

Second placed Impala Saracens had an easy run on day one beating nationwide side Webuye RFC 36-0 in a one sided game and later on thrashing Egerton University 40-0, to confirm their quarters ticket.

Impala’s massive wins is a warning shot to rivals Kabras Sugar and Homeboyz ahead of tomorrow’s finale.

Kenya Sevens star Sammy Oliech was the danger man for Impala while the legendary Davis Makori and talented youngster Mark Kwemoi also made their impact felt.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after the emphatic victories, Impala head coach Oscar Osir expressed his delight at passing the 40 mark against Egerton, but warned against complacency.

“I believe we haven’t been tested yet. We are marching on to the quarters and I believe that we will be pooled against a team that can prick us,” Osir said, throwing down the gauntlet ahead of Sunday’s battles which are expected to be epic.“I believe today’s results is a clear indication of our thirst for this title. Tomorrow we hope to raise the tempo,”Osir said.

On the other hand, third placed Homeboyz RFC kicked off their Dala campaign with a 31-0 rout over lowly side MMUST RFC before the Paul Murunga charges whipped UOE RFC 46-0 in another lop-sided game.

Prinsloo 7s champions KCB RFC brushed off Campus boys, the Catholic Monks, and MKU stingers 22-19and 36-0 respectively to qualify for the cup quarters.

Cup quarters

Kabras v Bulls

KCB v Webuye

Homeboyz v Makueni

Impala v Blad

Challenge trophy quarters

Kisumu v UoE

Catholic v Egerton

MMUST v Daystar

Kisii v MKU Stingerz

Report by Edwin Mbare