Prescott Cup set for riveting climax

The 2025 Prescott Cup is set to reach its climax this weekend, with semi-final action now taking center stage after a significant format change aimed at safeguarding player welfare.

 The competition has advanced to the semi-finals, allowing players more rest time. Each team will now enjoy a minimum 24-hour recovery window between matches, a decision reflecting a growing commitment to athlete well-being in school rugby.

Rift Valley Academy will face Kisii School in the first semi-final, followed by a heated clash between Waa High School and St. Patrick’s Iten. In the Father Caffrey Memorial Trophy, second-placed teams Lenana School, Kabianga, Alliance High, and Butula Boys will also fight for a place in Saturday’s final.

The girls’ category promises just as much intensity, with Kinale Girls taking on Mawego Girls and St. Teresa’s Girls battling Paul Harris in the semi-finals.

However, the competition has not been without controversy. Five-time champions Upper Hill High School, one of the tournament’s powerhouses, announced its withdrawal in protest over the event’s management.

In a strongly worded statement on X, the school cited disorganization, late changes, and misrepresentation of the tournament as a national-level event as key concerns. “We believe in upholding standards and urge the organizers to improve,” their statement read.

Despite the setback, the Kenya Rugby Union remains upbeat on delivering a successful finale. All participating teams will benefit from elite-level training sessions on Friday, 27th June, led by high-performance coaches from the national teams, a rare opportunity to gain top-tier technical insights.

The grand finale for all categories, the Prescott Cup, the Father Caffrey Memorial Trophy, and the girls' final, is scheduled for Saturday, 28th June.