Impala edge Homeboyz in sudden death to lift Kabeberi title

Impala Saracens were crowned the 2016 Kabeberi 7s champions after a hard fought 19-14 victory over Homeboyz in a fascinating Main Cup final at the Nairobi’s Rugby Football Union of East Africa Grounds.

In an action packed decider a sudden death try by Lameck Dunde settled the contest after the teams shared a nail-biting 14-14 stalemate at full time.

Derrick Mayara drew first blood for Impala, when he raced clear of the Homeboyz backline to register the team’s first try before adding the extras for 7-0.

Leonard Mugaisi restored parity for the Deejays, as his determination stunned the Sarries to draw it level at 7-7.

Richard Sindidi got on the score sheet for the Impala as his converted try sent his side into a 14-7 lead, but within minutes Charles Omondi pounced on a loose ball to send the tie to sudden death.

Impala shut off Strathmore Leos 21-10 in the first semi-final of the tournament of the second round of the national sevens series.

Sidindi gave the Sarries a dream start, darting through a gap as the Leos shot up on defence, touching down with Robin Kiplangat converting for 7-0 but Alex Olaba responded with the first of two brilliant individual tries, shrugging off his opposition to score at the corner for 7-5.

Impala would then be awarded a penalty by referee Billy Ochieng, after a poor challenge by Churchill Ooko on Paul Mutsami that was successfully dispatched between the posts by Kiplagat for a 14-5 lead before the break.

Olaba would then wriggle through four Sarries defenders as his blistering pace saw the Leos reduce the deficit to 21-10 at the final score.

In the other gripping last four clash, Homeboyz had to come from behind to record a 19-12 triumph over a resurgent Kenya Harlequins side.

Felix Ayange and Eden Agero gave Harlequins a brilliant start for 12-0 before Omondi pulled one back with an unconverted try before the break.

The second half would not go according to plan for the Quins as converted tries from Max Kangeri and Mugaisi set the Harlequins tumbling.

Last year’s winners Mwamba crushed out at the quarters after a 12-0 defeat at the hands of Impala, a defeat that condemned them to the Plate semis.

In the Semi-final, Mwamba beat Nakuru RFC 14-5 but would later succumb to a 15-5 defeat at the hands of Kabras RFC.

Blackbkad thrashed competition newbies Kisii RFC 33-0 to lift the Bowl.