Koyonzo crowned new rugby sevens champions as Stafford lift 3x3 title

Koyonzo Secnodary School rugby players celebrate after winning the 2022 Yala rugby 15s title. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Koyonzo Secondary School are the new national secondary school rugby sevens champions.

The Kakamega County rugby sevens champions thrashed Butula Boys 31-0 in what was a repeat of the Western region's finals yesterday in Nakuru to win this year's title.

In the process, Koyonzo punched their ticket to the East Africa Games set for September 14-24 in Arusha, Tanzania.

Speaking after the win, Koyonzo rugby coach Oscar Okaron said they cannot wait to play in Tanzania next week.

"To win the national games with an unbeaten record is no mean feat. I give it all to the young players who have shown that they can play rugby. Our journey doesn't end here as we eye to win the East Africa title," said Okaron.

Koyonzo, who trounced Butula 26-05 during the Western region finals, saw off Alliance Boys 52-0 in the quarterfinal before booking not only a spot in the final. They then defeated but Nduru Boy's from Nyanza 24-7 in the semifinal.

On the other hand, Butula knocked out defending national champions Upper Hill 31-5 in the quarters before seeing off Nanyuki 24-7. Koyonzo and Butula will now represent Kenya in Tanzania showpiece.

Nanyuki finished third after seeing off Nduru 14-0.

Elsewhere, another regional derby will be witnessed in hockey today when St Mary's Taachasis and Trans Nzoia Mixed both from Rift Valley clash in the girls' final.

Taachasis ended Nyanza region's giants Nyamira Girls unbeaten run in Nakuru after edging them out 3-2 on penalties after their semifinal match with ended 1-1 in regular time.

Trans Nzoia also needed penalties to knock out St Cecilia Misikhu 2-0 after their match ended in a barren draw.

In the boys' category, Western's Friends School Kamusinga will battle with St Anthony's Boys Kitale in the final.

Kamusinga whitewashed St Georges from Coast 6-1 as St Anthony's Boys Kitale edged out Chewoyet 3-1 in the other semifinal.

Meanwhile, Stafford from Rift Valley were yesterday crowned the inaugural 3x3 basketball boys' champions after narrowly defeating Coastal side Timbila Boys 16-14 in the final.

Kaya Tiwi will on the other hand face off with Olympic in the girls' 5x5 basketball final as newbies Dr Aggrey from Mombasa take on Dagoretti Mixed from Nairobi in the boys' final.

Dr Aggrey defeated Kamusinga 80-53 as Dagoretti outscored Laiser Hill 59-55 in a closely contested semis yesterday.