Rugby: MMUST eye Dala Sevens podium finish

MMUST Rugby star Claus Shirievo.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST RFC) are through to the quarterfinals of the 2022 Dala Sevens leg being played at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

MMUST shocked Kenya Cup champion and neighboring rivals Kabras Sugar 15-12 in the Lurambi Derby on Saturday before drawing 12-12 with Daystar University to finish second in Group B.

The Kakamega based students join Driftwood Sevens finalists Menengai Oilers in the knock out stage set for today after the latter finished the day unbeaten.

The students lost only one match during the day one event when they went down 31-12 to Oilers during their opening group match.

Oilers finished top of Group B after capping their MMUST victory with wins against Daystar University (21-19) and Kabras Sugar (21-14).

Despite defeating Daystar University, Kabras were knocked out of the competition after losing to MMUST and Oilers.

MMUST in the process qualified for the quarters for the first time in the 2022 National Sevens Circuit, an achievement head coach Ochieng Ahaya said was as a result of hard work and mental belief.

“Coming from relegation in Division two to reaching the quarterfinals of Dala Sevens is not an easy feat and am glad the boys played well against very strong opponents.”

“We are creating something special here and it is just a matter of time before we start competing with the best. It is true we still have a long way to go but if they underestimate us we might just pull a shocker,” said Ahaya.

MMUST will now face off against Driftwood Sevens champions Mwamba in the quarterfinals.