Top guns win as Katch Sevens kicks off

Katch Sevens Rugby Sheywe Rugby team player is tackled by Kenya Commercial Bank Rugby team players during Katch Sevens Rugby tournament held at Kakamega boys high school yesterday, KCB worn 22-5. BY BENJAMIN SAKWA

The inaugural Katch Sevens rugby tournament kicked off in Kakamega town yesterday.

The event has 16 teams for the club level and eight for the secondary school category.

Vihiga-based Mbale RFC suffered the biggest defeat by going down 60-0 to Dennis Mwanja’s Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in a one-sided match.

In another match, the hosts Western Bulls beat Bungoma RFC 50-7 at the pool level while Kabras thrashed Sigalagala National polytechnic 45-0.

Fns packed the Bull Ring grounds, the homeground of Western Bulls to catch the action which is sponsored by The Nairobian, a weekly publication of the Standard Group.

It was also a family day out for fans and and no alcohol, which is a common feature in rugby events, was sold.

“We are neighbours with Kakamega High School, and we resolved not to allow any alcoholic beverage at the event or anywhere close,” said Bram Shikanda, the Western Bulls Team manger.

Some of the local clubs displayed their mettle despite lacking essential gears like uniforms.

Mbale, Shieywe, Bungoma and Mumias RFC sides appeared in not very well matched attire.

Most of the Western-based clubs are at their formative stage and majority of their players are Form Four leavers who were only happy to play against some of the established sides like Mwamba and KCB.

The finals will be played today.

Meanwhile, the Wellington Hurricanes crushed the Coastal Sharks  41-0 victory to cruise into the Super Rugby semi-finals on a stormy night in Wellington yesterday, adds AFP reports.

For the first time in the history of the Southern Hemisphere championship a side has been kept scoreless in a play-off match.