Resolution Impala Saracens are the newly crowned champions George Mwangi Kabeberi 7s! A heart thrilling final saw them lift the Kabeberi7s trophy at the RFUEA Grounds.
Sarries finished their Day One top of the pool after beating Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad 19 – 5, then went ahead to win their second match of the day against Mean Machine 31-21 before solidifying their position atop the pool when they beat Kabras Sugar 19-7.
Impala was then set to face hosts Mwamba RFC in the cup quarters. They put three unconverted and unanswered tries against Kulabu. The 15 – 0 win set up a Strathmore Leos clash in the semis. The Leos had earlier beaten Nakuru in the quarters 15-12.
This semi final ended with an Impala 21-10 win.
For their part, Homeboyz got to the finals after beating Kenya Harlequins 19-14 in the semis. A repeat of the Prinsloo 7s was in the offing…
The final got everyone on their feet. Derrick Mayar would score under the posts and with Mohammed Omollo’s conversion, Impala would lead 7-0. Homeboyz put up a spirited fight in the last minutes of the first half Eventually Leonard Mugaisi would go over the whitewash and convert his own try to tie the scores 7-7 at half time.
Second half, Mayar would score his brace after Richard Sidindi spadework to push the scores to 14-7 on Omollo’s conversion.
Cyprian Kuto would score a try, after sustained Homeboyz pressure, Mugaisi adding the extras to push the game into extra time.
Homeboyz would camp in the Saracens 5 mete but the defense would not be broken. Homeboyz preferring a close quarters approach. An Impala turnover and touch kick would get the Ngong side out of jail….
Lameck Dunde would then score a captain’s try carrying Mugaisi over the lline.
Mayar would bag the tournament MVP trophy. The Resolution backed side last won Kaheberi 7s in 2006.
Final score – 19-14, Impala.
Head Coach Innocent Simiyu said. “It was a good fight by the boys to clinch it in extra time and to do it in impala style. We are thankful to God and to the whole impala family for their support. We now go back to training to prepare for the next one”
Assistant Coach Nick Abok shared his sentiments as follows, “It’s good we won this trophy after ten years, we are very humbled by the way the team played. Now we have to forget it quickly and focus on the next one, we still got some work to do.”
Resolution Impala Saracens and Menengai Cream Homeboyz are tied in the first position with 42 points each.