By BS Mulavi
Daystar University have high hopes of clinching the trophy after displaying superb play on the first day of the Confederation of African Rugby Sevens tournament in Mombasa.
The Universities section got the tournament going on Friday and Daystar were undefeated in their three group games, which saw them get ranked second, to qualify for the Main Cup quarterfinals.
The tournament had three pools of four teams, with the top eight teams guaranteed qualification for the quarterfinals. Daystar recorded a walkover against PCEA before hammering Spartans of Mombasa 54-0 and finishing their day with a hard fought 12-0 victory over Catholic University.
They are now scheduled to meet Mount Kenya University who were the seventh ranked team after the pool games.
Speaking to Feverpitch, Daystar coach Kevin Wambua said it was a good first day, but he predicted tougher games on the second day.
“We have seen Blak Blad (Kenyatta University) play very well and even Technical University of Kenya has registered some impressive performances which makes the tournament very competitive,” he said. “We will have to be at our best if we expect to overcome competition from the experienced team like Mean Machine (University of Nairobi).”
Meanwhile, Technical University of Kenya caused the biggest upset of the weekend by defeating Mean Machine 13-12. Mean Machines’ Joel Maingi rued the loss and claimed they will be better on second day.
“The tournament started off a bit slow but I am sure in the second day when we are at the quarterfinals and the international teams have started playing it is going to pick up,” he said.
Other teams in the quarters are Blak Blad, Daystar, KCA, Catholic, Mount Kenya and Mombasa Polytechnic. Spartans, Shepherds and Mombasa II will play in the bowl quarters.
