Sweetness as Kabras dash to Driftwood win

Brian Tanga of Kabras Sugar in action.[Kabras Sugar]

Kabras Sugar are the 2023 Driftwood Sevens champions.

The sugarmen came from behind to defeat National Sevens Circuit defending champions Menengai Oilers 10-7 in sudden death to be crowned new champions in Mombasa.

Dennis Abukuse gave Oilers a deserved 7-0 lead after splitting the Kabras defense to touch down a centre post try.

The lead lasted a minute before Shujaa star Kevin Wekesa restored parity for the sugar men with a converted try that left the scores tied 7-7 at the break.

A barren second half saw the match forced into a sudden death play where the first team to get points wins the match.

And when the team needed him the most, Fijian-born utility back Jone Kubu came up with a brilliant drop goal that inspired Kabras to a 10-7 win.

Speaking after the win, Kabras Sugar Sevens head coach Felix Ayange congratulated the players for showing character and resilience, especially after their disappointments at the opening Dala Sevens leg in Kisumu 10 days ago.

The former Kenya Sevens star said they believed in their game-plan and never-die mentality, which has carried them this year, beginning with the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup.

"Congratulations to everyone at Kabras for making this win happen. We came short in Kisumu a week ago and we had to respond. What a way to respond," said Ayange.

"To play in two finals in under 10 days is no mean feat and I want to say that this is just the beginning. We promised to go all the way in the sevens season and I believe the message is home."

Kabras Sugar lost 17-5 to KCB during the Dala Sevens leg. They, however, improved and won the Mombasa leg unbeaten including a 12-7 comeback win over Strathmore Leos in the semifinals.

While Kabras improved from their opening National Sevens Circuit leg opener, KCB were a pale shadow of themselves.

The bankers came shot of completing a double after losing 17-12 to Oilers in the semifinals.

The semis defeat relegated them to the Bronze final playoffs which they won 29-12 after schooling Strathmore University Leos.

Dethroned Driftwood Sevens champions Mwamba finished fifth after defeating Kenya Harlequin 12-7, while Homeboyz defeated Nakuru 21-9 in the Challenge Trophy final playoffs.

Kenyatta University's Blak Blad, who missed the Dala Sevens, won the 13th place finals after edging out Catholic Monks 17-12.