The 37th edition of the George Mwangi Kabeberi 7s took a heated turn on day one, with hosts Mwamba RFC, KCB RFC and Menengai Oilers shining with 100% winning records in their respective pools at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
In Men’s Pool A, Daystar Falcons opened their campaign in style, thrashing Impala Saracens 24-0, while Kenya Harlequins saw off Kisumu RFC 36-7 in another opening clash.
The Caleb Bosire-coached side, Daystar Falcons, returned to action and edged Kisumu RFC 14-7 in their second clash of the day, whereas Kenya Harlequins beat Impala 35-5.
The penultimate match of the pool saw Quins sail past Daystar 19-7, while Kisumu registered their first win over Impala in a 32-10 scoreline.
Pool B
Hosts Mwamba RFC began their campaign on a high, edging Nondescripts RFC 22-21 in a closely contested encounter. Strathmore Leos, meanwhile, were ruthless against CUEA Monks, securing a 33-15 victory.
In the second round, Strathmore and Nondescripts played out an entertaining 24-24 draw, while Mwamba RFC comfortably dispatched CUEA Monks 35-7.
Nondescripts bounced back in their final pool fixture with a 33-19 victory over CUEA Monks, before Strathmore Leos stunned the hosts 29-12 in the final Pool B encounter. The result saw Strathmore finish strongly and book their place in the Main Cup quarter-finals, pointing to a strong improvement after a shaky start in the Dala 7s.
Pool C
Dala 7s finalists Menengai Oilers announced their intentions early, defeating KU Blak Blad 29-7 in their opening match, while Zetech Oaks edged Mombasa RFC 17-5.
The Oilers continued their perfect run in the second round with a commanding 32-5 victory over Mombasa RFC. KU Blak Blad responded from their opening defeat by beating Zetech Oaks 29-5.
In the final round, Blak Blad completed their pool campaign with a 19-5 victory over Mombasa RFC, but it was Menengai Oilers who underlined their dominance by thumping Zetech Oaks 38-14 to finish the pool stage unbeaten.
Pool D
The much-anticipated Pool D lived up to its billing as the ‘Pool of Death’, with defending champions of the National Sevens Circuit, KCB Rugby opening their campaign with a convincing 28-0 victory over Nakuru RFC. Dala 7s champions Kabras Sugar RFC were equally impressive, defeating home neighbors’ MMUST RFC 29-7.
KCB maintained their winning run in the second round, overcoming MMUST 29-14, while Kabras Sugar saw off Nakuru RFC 31-14.
The final pool clash produced the day’s headline result as KCB Rugby edged rivals Kabras Sugar 12-7 to finish top of Pool D with a perfect three-win record. Nakuru RFC also produced a late upset, edging MMUST 22-21 in their final encounter.
The results saw KCB and Kabras progress to the Main Cup quarter-finals, with the Bankers carrying significant momentum into Sunday’s knockout stage as they continue their pursuit of a fifth consecutive Kabeberi 7s title.
With the pool stage now complete, attention shifts to Sunday’s knockout action at the RFUEA Grounds, where the surviving sides will battle for places in the Main Cup semi-finals and ultimately the coveted Kabeberi 7s crown.
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