Strathmore Leos put on a clinical display to retain the Prinsloo 7s title, dispatching KCB Rugby 24-7 in a dramatic final played under wet conditions at the Nakuru Athletic Club on Sunday.
The win secured a third Prinsloo 7s crown for the Leos, adding to their 2009 and 2023 triumphs. KCB, who were hunting their fifth title, had edged Strathmore 15-14 in last weekend’s final and came into this clash hoping to repeat the feat. But the students had other ideas.
Victor Mola opened the scoring in sensational fashion. With Leos under pressure in their own 22, Mola picked up a loose ball and sprinted nearly the length of the field to touch down. Stanislaus Shikoli then doubled the lead after picking an overthrown KCB lineout to make it 10-0.
KCB hit back through Bob Muhati, who crossed the whitewash following a neat offload from Vincent Onyala. The successful conversion cut the deficit to just three points.
But the Leos soon reasserted their authority. Mola bagged his second try, exploiting space out wide to stretch the lead to 17-7. Moments later, quick thinking from Brian Mwendwa set up Barnabas Owuor, who crashed over to put the result beyond doubt at 24-7 by halftime.
The second half saw KCB try to claw back, with Samuel Asati almost finding the line before losing control of the ball inches from grounding. Before any further play could unfold, a heavy downpour disrupted proceedings. With just minutes remaining, match officials were forced to call off the game due to worsening weather, confirming Strathmore as the champions.
Elsewhere, Catholic Monks stunned Menengai Oilers 17-10 to clinch third place, while Nakuru RFC edged Kenya Harlequins 24-19 in sudden death to finish fifth. Daystar Falcons wrapped up a strong tournament by lifting the Challenge Trophy after a convincing 39-0 win over Zetech Oaks.
Prinsloo 7s Knockout Stage
Challenge Trophy
Mombasa 0-31 Zetech Oaks – 8:36 am
Impala 12-7 Kisumu– 9:36 am
Daystar 14-5 Stallions – 9:54 am
Nondies 26-12 MMUST – 10:12 am
Cup quarters
Kenya Harlequin 0-26 Strathmore Leos – 10:30 am
Mwamba RFC 7-12 Catholic Monks– 10:48 am
Menengai Oilers 7-0 Nakuru RFC – 11:06 am
KCB Rugby 17-5 Kabras RFC – 11:24 am
Semis
13th place
Mombasa RFC 19-7 Kisumu – 12:22 pm
Stallions 24-7 MMUST– 12:42
9th place
Zetech Oaks 12-10 Impala – 1:02 pm
Daystar 31-7Nondies– 1:22 pm
5th place semis
Kenya Harlequin 19-7 Mwamba– 1:42 pm
Nakuru RFC 12-10 Kabras RFC – 2:02 pm
Cup semis
Strathmore Leos 40-0 Catholic Monks – 2:22 pm
Menengai Oilers 5-10 KCB – 2:42 pm
13th Place
Mombasa 12-5 Stallions – 3:02 pm
9th place
Zetech 0-39 Daystar – 3:22 pm
5th place
Kenya Harlequin 19-24 Nakuru – 3:42 pm
Third place
Catholic Monks 17-10 Menengai Oilers – 4:02 pm
Cup final
Strathmore Leos 24-7 KCB Rugby – 5:
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