Kitui Governor Julius Malombe with Faru rugby players after they were crowned the Kitui Sevens Rugby tournament champions at the Kitui Showground on Sunday. [PHOTO: PAUL MUTUA/STANDARD]

Faru RFC are the champions of the inaugural Kitui Sevens Rugby tournament.

Faru beat Homeboyz RFC 27-21 in a tough final match at the Kitui Showground on Sunday evening.

Both teams put up a spirited fight in an effort  to win the encounter before eventual winners Faru RFC hit their opponents.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe and Senator David Musila led senior county officials including the deputy governor Peninah Malonza and the governor’s wife, Edith Mawia, to the grounds to watch the grand finale.

Sixteen teams participated in the three-day tournament made up of players from different clubs.

Miro RFC beat Jombi RFC 14-0 in a one sided encounter to grab third and fourth positions while Masaku RFC trounced Makueni RFC 36-7 in that order.

Mean Machine RFC were crowned winners in the Plate finals.

Other teams that took part in the championship sponsored by the Kitui County government and East Africa Breweries Limited were Miro, Kisumu, Brumbies and Kitui Medical Training College in Pool ‘A’. 

Pool ‘B’ had Homeboyz, Stormers, Mt Kenya University and Makueni, while Pool ‘C’ had Jombi, Masaku, Multimedia University and Aviators. 

Pool ‘D’ had Faru, Technical University, South Eastern Kenya University and Kiambu RFC.

good gesture

Seeding was done according to the strength of teams and their calibre of players.

Dr Malombe thanked the participating teams for making the event a success.

The governor promised that next year his government will make arrangements to attract more teams and sponsors to add value in the game.

EABL Mt Kenya Division Regional Sales Executive Thomas Okoth said they had partnered with the Kitui County government and other well-wishers to support the event through the “Twende Kazi” initiative to devolve the game to the counties.

“As EABL, we are proud to be associated with the Kitui Sevens Rugby tournament and we pledge our continual support to move the event to greater heights,” said Okoth.

—pmutua@standardmedia.co.ke