RED HOT KCB STROLL to driftwood quarters: Bankers reach last eight at third leg of Safaricom 7s

Geofrey Omondi (left) of Nakuru and Chris Asego of Mwamba fight for ball control during their Mombasa Driftwood Sevens series at Mombasa Sports Club yesterday. [PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/ STANDARD]

Defending champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) stormed to the quarter-finals of the Mombasa Driftwood Safaricom Sevens in style at the Mombasa Sports Club yesterday.

The bankers who are also the Safaricom Seven series leaders after wining Kabeberi and Dala Sevens powered their way to the quarter-finals after winning their two opening matches.

KCB need to lift the Driftwood trophy and be crowned the Sevens champions with two more series to go.

In the opening match, KCB clobbered Catholic University 29-5 after taking a 17-0 lead at half time.

Andrew Amonde touched down twice with Oliver Mangeni, Philip Wamae and Brian Omondi adding a try apiece. Ken Moseti made two conversions.

In the second match, the bankers, playing like wounded lions whitewashed Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) 41-0 with a 17-0 lead at the breather.

Ian Indimula and Fabian Olando were the destroyers after scoring two tries before Ken Moseti added another try, which he converted.

Edwin Salamba, Brian Omondi and Oliver Mangeni added a try each with Esau Otieno scoring a conversion for the big win.

Nondies also sailed through to the quarter-finals after they beat Thika 26-7 with a 12-7 lead at break.

In their second match, Nondies thrashed Catholic University 26-0 to advance to today’s quarter-finals.

Kenya Harlequins silenced KCA 48-0 after leading 24-0 at half time. Arthur Ochieng and Paul Aboto converted two tries each with Dennis Muhanji, Max Theuri, William Mawira, Amos Ngatia, Lyle Asiligwa touching down once.

Eden Agero made two conversions while Asiligwa and Brian Wandera had a conversion each.

In other matches of the third leg of the Safaricom Sevens, Homeboyz beat Kisumu 35-0 after leading 14-0 at half time.

Austin Gumo and Leonard Mugaisi had two tries each while Augustine Lugonzo scored a try and five conversions. Nakuru beat Mwamba 12-0 with Nelson Omolo and Geoffrey Mbeya scoring a try each. George Ominde scored took the conversion.

Western Bulls fought like bulls to stop Kenya University’s Blak Blad 17-7 after a 7-7 deadlock at half time.

In another encounter, Impala had little respect for Daystar University and game them a 29-0 drubbing while Strathmore University defeated Kabras 27-5.

In Division Two matches, Mount Kenya University Thika beat Machakos 12-0 where Eddy Young and Mark Rapudo scored a try each with Robert Rabai taking the conversion.

In other Division two matches, Bungoma beat Shephards 48-5 while Technical University of Kenya (TUM) humiliated Mbaraki Sports Club.

The tournament, which is also co-sponsored by Awanad Enterprise Limited, continues today morning with the semi-finals and finals set for the afternoon.