Rugby: Mwamba ready to defend Dala 7s title

Naomi Amuguni (with the ball) of Mwamba battles for the ball with Daisy Jiveti of Northern Surbs during a past match. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Mwamba will battle for the second Dala Sevens title when the third leg of 2019 National Sevens Circuit gets underway at ASK Mamboleo Showground in Kisumu today.

The three-time champions, who won the Kabeberi Sevens series title at home, have been drawn against hosts Kisumu RFC, Impala Saracens and Northern Suburbs in Pool A.

Kulabu won the Dala Sevens in 2010, 2011, 2018 and head coach Kevin Wambua seeks a fourth title in Kisumu, aiming to stretch their lead at the top of the national circuit standings.

Wambua yesterday said his charges are not under pressure despite wearing the favourites tag.

“We have been working hard to perfect our Sevens team and I believe we are better this time round. Winning Kabeberi as hosts was important for the boys and is a morale-booster ahead of the Kisumu leg.

“We had good preparations in the two-week break and the mood in the team is positive. We are the defending champions but we are under no pressure,” Wambua said.

Impala Saracens will kick-off their campaign against Northern Suburbs at 9am before circuit leaders Mwamba to take on hosts Kisumu RFC at 9am.

Kakamega Sevens winners KCB head to the tournament as second-seed and they headline Pool D which has promoted Vihiga Granites, Blak Blad and national circuit defending champions Homeboyz.

Blak Blad has taken on fellow Kenya Cup side Homeboyz before KCB will meets Vihiga Granites at 11.20am.

In Pool B, Kabeberi finalists Oilers will take on the university students in MMUST and Strathmore before ducking it out with Bram Shikanda’s Western Bulls who are making a return after missing the second leg.

Kenya Cup finalists Kabras Sugar are in Pool C alongside Nakuru, Nondies and Mean Machine as Henley Du Plessis aim to improve on their poor Kakamega Sevens run where they failed to make it to the Main cup quarter-finals.

“We didn’t play well during the first leg and we took a break to reflect and rectify our mistakes. But I expect a strong performance today as we aim to reach main cup quarters,” he said.

Elsewhere, Kenya Cup side Kenya Harlequin will play nationwide sides Embu RFC, AP Rugby and Siaya in Pool A at the Dala 7s division II.

Quins were relegated for the second time during in the Kabeberi 7s after losing their challenge trophy quarter-final to Strathmore Leos.