Rugby champs Koyonzo, Kakamega book regionals ticket

Koyonzo Secondary celebrate after winning a past tournament.[Kipsang Jospeh,Standard]

National rugby sevens’ champions Koyonzo Secondary School on Friday sailed through to the Western Region Secondary School finals slated for later this month after reaching the quarterfinals of the Kakamega County games that will end today.

Koyonzo, who are unbeaten in their four matches played so far, will face off with Mukumu Boys in their semi-finals today at the Bull Ring.

And head coach Elly Okwemba says they are leaving nothing to chance, as they want to retain their county title with an unbeaten record.

The Western regional champions saw off Mukhonje 57-0 before thrashing Malava 83-0. 

Speaking to Standard Sports after their 35-5 quarter-finals victory over Chebuyusi, Okwemba said they are taking every match seriously and will not water down their style of play and aggressiveness despite qualifying for the regionals with two matches to spare.

According to the Western Region rules, four teams from each county under the umbrella qualify automatically to the regional finals irrespective of the winner.

“It is a great day because we have achieved one of the goals we set this year which was to get to the regionals. Now we complete the job by winning the county title,” said Okwemba.

Former champions Kakamega High and St Peter's Mumias, who will clash in the second semi-finals, will join Koyonzo and Mukumu in the regionals.

Kakamega High head coach Amos Wamanga said he has instructed his players to enjoy rugby after booking a ticket to the regionals.

“It’s job done for us. We have no pressure and my boys will enjoy the remaining matches. We lost to St Peter’s in the last pool match but that counted to nothing because we focused on the quarterfinals which we won,” said Wamanga who will be in Mombasa today for the Driftwood Sevens.

St Peter's Mumias finished top of their group after hitting Kakamega High 21-14. The two sides will renew their rivalry at the semi-finals.