Toi Primary School are the undisputed Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy July 2017 Age Grade Tournament played at the Impala Club yesterday. The school managed to bag the under 9,11 & 13 categories. The tournament, which was played on a mixed structure where boys and girls play together in a team attracted a total of 6 primary schools and over 470 children. Only Hidden Talent tainted Toi’s almost clean swipe of the trophies after they won the under 15 trophy.
Under 9
Toi Primary School ran a total of 3 unanswered tries past Hidden Talent to book a final with Old Kibera who ran 2 tries past Little Prince in a tension filled semi final. Toi’s consistency throughout the tournament finally paid off when the team captained by Wayne Shitubi scored three unanswered tries against Old Kibera in the final
Under 11
Hidden Talent would find themselves paired with Toi in the under 11 semis and although they put forth a spirited fight, Toi bounced back from a 5-5 deadlock to beat the stubborn Hidden Talent 10-15. Old Kibera on the other half of the pitch, were having a smooth semi final, running 4 unanswered tries past a seemingly frustrated Jamhuri Primary School.
In the finals, Old Kibera would answer back every Toi try but were short of time when Toi scored their 5th try to end the pulsating match 25-20, much to Toi Primary’s relief.
Under 13
The first semi finals between Toi and Hidden Talent as predicted by one of Jamhuri’s players was going Toi’s way and Toi’s way it went. Hidden Talent soaked in 5 unanswered tries. The second semi final between Jamhuri and Old Kibera would prove the battle of endurance as both teams stretched each other to just inches of elastic limits. Jamhuri would in the dying minutes of the game sneak in a try and find their way into their finals. They would go ahead to lose only by one try against a highly charged Toi Primary school. Fulltime Score: Toi Primary School 20-15 Jamhuri
Under 15
Toi had beaten Hidden Talent in the Under 9,11 and 13 semis. A different story would however unfurl by full-time when Hidden Talent worked round defence lines to ensure that Toi never levelled the game. The match ended 15-10 to Toi’s dismay and the dream of a possible clean swipe of the trophies stood shattered. Old Kibera would book themselves into the third final of the tournament after struggling to beat Jamhuri 10-5 in another semi final.
The final between Old Kibera and Hidden Talent could have been all for Old Kibera to win, but unforced errors and a missed tackle gifted Hidden Talent the only trophy that Toi never took back to their school which neighbours Woodley Estate – The under 15 trophy.
Speaking to our media team after the tournament, Tournament Director – Steve Juma, who is an alumnus of the Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy structure had this to say:
We are extremely happy with the children who showed up today. I would love to thank the teachers, Impala Saracens players, our sponsors Standard Chartered and Impala Club in embracing development through youth sports. It was amazing to see new teams like Old Kibera, Little Prince and Ndararua participating in tournaments for the first time. Highlight of my day was watching Hidden Talent, a team whose majority constitution was 11 girls (the team had 9 boys) winning the under 15 trophy.
Wayne Shitubi, the 10 year old youngster who was Toi Primary School Tournament Captain dispelled what other children think of rugby:
The tournament was good as you can see, we have won three trophies. We would have wanted the under 15 team to win their category but I think maybe it was just not meant for us. Some of the kids my age think that rugby is a dangerous sport. It is not! We not only learn rugby through these tournaments. We also learn to respect each other and that is a good thing!
Image: Wayne Shitubi celebrates with teammates after Toi Primary emerged overall winners. Toi bagged the Under 9,11 & 13 categories
