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Maik Kwambo

From the capital city, to the rift valley, the lakeside, and the capital city again, the Western Union National Sevens Circuit finally takes a bow in the coastal city of Mombasa when the Driftwood Sevens kicks off on Saturday (25 Sept) at the Mombasa Sports Club.

Current circuit leaders Mwamba RFC are not quite home and dry yet. They must either win the plate competition or bow out at the semi final stage to reclaim the title they last held in 2008.

Second placed Kenya Harlequin FC must finish ahead of Mwamba by 14 points at the end of the sixteen-team Driftwood Sevens if they are to emerge as the 2010 National Sevens champions.

They head to Mombasa eager to forget the memories of 2009 when they lost to Strathmore in the Driftwood final, ceding the overall title to the students.

Impala RFC may be out of the running for the overall title but would like to consolidate their third place on the circuit standings - what better than winning the Driftwood Sevens before enjoying the Mombasa kayumbet in style?!

Nakuru RFC have acquitted themselves pretty well over the entire course of the circuit. They seemed to run out of steam during last weekend’s Kabeberi Sevens but one can’t fault their effort and consistent show on the 2010 Western Union National Sevens Circuit - they have made the semi finals at three of the four tournaments played thus far.

Kenya Commercial Bank RFC have quietly worked their way to fifth position in the standings while outgoing National Sevens Circuit champions Strathmore Leos have found the going rather tough, lying sixth overall heading into this weekend.

Only four points separate Homeboyz, Machine and Kisumu who place seventh, eighth and ninth on the circuit standings. Kisumu RFC sadly miss out on the Driftwoods, leaving the fight for seventh and eighth positions between these two sides who share one training venue.

Mwamba headline a potentially tricky Pool A that also has Mean Machine, Homeboyz and Oryx.

The current circuit leaders will be without their Kenya Sevens quartet of Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, Horace Owiti and Lavin Asego. They however welcome back master planner Edgar Abere who had a great outing with Shujaa at the Nashua Middelburg Sevens in South Africa. How he marshals the likes of big George Mbaye, Louis Kisia and Kevin Wambua will be critical to Kulabu’s progress in Mombasa.

They will have to overcome challenges from Mean Machine and Homeboyz who have not fared too badly on the circuit.

Deprived of Sidney Ashioya, Leon Adongo and Wilson K’Opondo, who made the final Kenya Sevens squad to the Commonwealth Games, as well as non-travelling reserve Victor Sudi, Quins are top seeds in Pool B. Losing finalists in three of four finals played to date, Quins will have their eye on the trophy, hoping that Mwamba falter early along the way but they first must contend with defending Driftwood Sevens champions Strathmore.

Home sides Mombasa SC, shield winners at the Kabeberi Sevens, and Spartans round up the group’s composition.
Kenya Commercial Bank RFC and Nakuru RFC should progress to the Cup quarters from Pool C where they have been grouped alongside varsity sides Daystar and USIU.

Even without Brian Nyikuli and Innocent Simiyu, Impala RFC will lead all opposition from Pool D in making the last-eight. The red lion of Nondies had a great outing in Nairobi, winning the Plate and having Charles Kanyi voted Kabeberi Sevens MVP. Without the Commonwealth bound Biko Adema and non-travelling reserve Ben Nyambu, will they be able to replicate this success in Mombasa? Blak Blad and KCA round up the group.