Mwamba switch off Homeboyz tune to win Prinsloo Sevens as Italy veteran Ghiraldini returns from injury for World Cup

Stanbic Mwamba Rfc celebrates after wining the Prinsloo sevens at Nakuru Athletics club on August 18,2019.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

Stanbic Mwamba beat Menengai cream Homeboyz RFC 12-7 to win the Prinsloo Sevens title in the final, yesterday, at Nakuru Athletics Club.

Mwamba’s Collins Injera touched down few minutes to second half before Tony Omondi converted for a 7-0 lead.

Four Minutes into the second half, Augustin Lukonzo of Homeboyz run through Mwamba’s defence to touch down between the posts before Mohamed Omollo made it 7-7.

Maleck Itendwa scored the winning try for Mwamba in extra time to make the scores 12-7.

Earlier,Daystar thrashed Mean Machine 10-5 to win the Division Two category, while hosts Top Fry Nakuru RFC beat Menengai Oilers 16-5 in the bronze medal match.

KCB beat Kabras Sugar 7-10 to win the challenge cup.

In other results, Nondescripts defeated Harlequins 24-15 while Western Bulls beat Blakblad 21-0.

On their way to the final, Menengai Homeboyz beat Mengai Oilers 25-0, while Mwamba beat Top Fry Nakuru RFC 12-8.

Mike Okello of Stanbic Mwamba was named the Most Valuable Player in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Ghiraldini is set to return from injury with the experienced hooker included yesterday in Italy’s largely youthful squad which features 23 tournament debutants for next month’s rugby World Cup in Japan.

Ghiraldini, who has 104 caps, ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments during the Six Nations last March and had been considered a doubt to play in his fourth World Cup.

But the 34-year-old Italy vice-captain has been chosen by coach Conor O’Shea in a squad largely made up of players who have never competed in the sport’s showpiece event.

“Leo is a player with great experience. He worked hard and constantly throughout the summer. We are happy for him, he is an added value both on and off the field,” said O’Shea. 

“Leo, together with (Sergio) Parisse and (Alessandro) Zanni, are playing their last matches in the Italy jersey of their extraordinary careers.”

“We want to make a dream come true and we have the cards to be able to succeed.”

O’Shea whittled down his original 44-man provisional outfit to 31, a day after Italy’s 85-15 victory over Russia in their second warm-up in San Benedetto del Tronto.

Captain Parisse returned against Russia after missing their defeat by Ireland, and will play in his fifth World Cup, becoming just the third player to do so after compatriot Mauro Bergamasco and Samoan Brian Lima.

The 35-year-old joins Australian George Gregan as the third-most capped international, behind New Zealand’s Richie McCaw.