SAMURAI IN BULLISH MOOD AT MASAKU: Wakulima thrash Kilunda, Mean Machine to power into today’s Sevens quarterfinals

Cyprian Kuto of Samurai Wakulima in action during their the 2015 of Masaku sevens against Kilunda at at Kenyatta satdium on July4, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Samurai Wakulima were at their best as this year’s Masaku Sevens International Rugby tournament got underway yesterday at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Wakulima qualified for today’s quarterfinal in superb fashion after they defeated hosts Kilunda 54-0 and University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine 47-0 in their first two Group D matches.

In the absence of defending champions Tabadamu from Fiji and last year’s finalists Uganda U19, Wakulima’s flawless display in an electrifying atmosphere has earned them the favourite’s tag.

Homeboyz, French Fogies, Impala and Kenya Harlequin have also qualified for the quarters after winning their first two group matches.

“I don’t really hold too much on the signal.

There was a bit of handling errors in the first two matches, but we hope to build on from them and have a better performance as the tournament progresses,” Wakulima’s coach Lavin Asego said.

“The only pressure we have is on ourselves to perform better; we will not be distracted by pressure from other quarters.”

The star-studded locally assembled team, which comprises current and former Kenyan internationals, was in a class of its own. It took the lead through Felix Ayange’s try, but Biko Adema missed the conversion.

However, Ayange responded immediately by converting his try and Oscar Davis scored on the stroke of halftime to make the scoreline 19-0.

Former Nakuru forward Oscar Ouma raced down on the right for Wakulima’s fourth try, which was successfully converted by Biko. Horace Otieno touched down once more as Wakulima extended their dominance.

Mwamba’s Dan Sikuta struck a hat-trick to complete an emphatic 54-0 victory for Wakulima. In their second match against Mean Machine, Sikuta continued from where he left off in the first game to score his second hat trick of the day to give Wakulima a 47-0 win.

Kenya Sevens speedy winger Collins Injera, who is the team’s photographer, downplayed the favourite tag, but revealed their engagement in corporate social responsibility activities.

“It’s a good start for the boys. We might be favourites, but it is fun for us as we have come to enjoy rugby outside Nairobi,” Injera said.