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The curtains finally fell on the 2010 Western Union National Sevens Circuit when Kenya Harlequin FC beat Impala RFC 24-14 to win the Driftwood Sevens title.

Mwamba back at the summit

The biggest cheers at the end of the five leg circuit was however reserved for Tito Oduk's Mwamba RFC who accumulated 134 points to run away with the overall title that they last held in 2008.They fused the experience of their "fantastic four", Humprey Kayange, Collins Injera, Lavin Asego and Horace Owiti with the visionary talents of 2010 overall circuit MVP Edgar Abere and the workmanlike George Mbaye, Louis Kisia and Steve Okeyo to gain a clear advantage ahead of the final leg in Mombasa where a 26-0 quarter final result over Strathmore saw the National Sevens Circuit title return to the Nairobi Railway Club shelves.

How Mwamba won it

Mwamba were on course to grab the season opening Christie Sevens, throwing away a 10-0 lead to lose 10-15 to Quins in the main cup final. This left them second on the log with 20 ponts, four points adrift of their opponents. The two sides would meet for the Prinsloo main cup a week later in Nakuru where an authoritative display from Horace Owiti more than made amends for his schoolboy howler at the Christies that was pivotal in handing Quins victory,landing a brace as Kulabu earned revenge,a 17-12 win that saw them claim 30 points and pole position heading into round three in Kisumu.

38 points were up for grabs in Kisumu yet only a point separated Mwamba (50 points) from Quins (49 points). The two protagonists would renew their acquaintance in the main cup final. Owiti,still perturbed by his Christie Sevens howler, produced a man of the match performance,scoring one try and setting up one of Collins Injera's two tries as Mwamba ran off with the Dala Sevens title courtesy of a 15-12 win. The result saw them open up an eight point lead as the circuit headed back to Nairobi.

This script was to be repeated at the Kabeberi Sevens where Mwamba and particularly Humphrey Kayange was in omnious form, his brace in the final complimented by a brace from kid bro Collins Injera proving the difference against Quins, beating them 28-14 in the final. An eight point gap atop the circuit standings had now turned to a thirteen point advantage heading into the final round, the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa.

Mwamba knew what they had to do in Mombasa, either reach the main cup semi finals or win the plate, assuming that their only challengers for the title, Quins, won the main cup title. Beating outgoing champions Strathmore 26-0 in the main cup quarter finals meant that the National Sevens Circuit would now be in Kulabu's possession.A semi final loss to Impala may have been an anti climax but it did not take the gloss off their overall success as they finished the 2010 circuit with 134 points, five more than Quins on 1`29 points. Impala RFC claimed third place overall.

Second placed Quins featured in all main cup finals, winning two (Christies and Dritfwoods) and losing three (Prinsloo, Dala and Kabeberi).Their second place was largely a team effort, fusing the experience and leadership of Naftali Bondo and Victor Sudi with the youth and exuberence of Eden Adero, Willy Ambaka and Alan Omuka. While second place overall was de ja vu for the Ngong Road side, the acquited themselves pretty well, their final placing on the standings just reward for their consistency on the circuit.

Impala RFC may have finished third overall but Innocent Simiyu ran off with two awards at the end of the five legs. He took home the top try scorer's and top points scorers awards. Impala and Kenya Number Eight Lawrence Buyachi, who was voted Driftwood Sevens MVP proved himself to be a very decent player, lighting up the circuit on several occasions with darting runs, big hits and crunching tackles.

Nakuru RFC, KCB RFC,outgoing champions Strathmore and Mean Machine showed a level of consistency by the close of the circuit while the so called lesser teams, Kisumu RFC, Homeboyz and Blak Blad also gave good accounts of themselves, claiming main cup final berths at different tournaments.

Speaking on his side's title loss, Strathmore coach Mitch Ocholla said, "we are rebuilding the side, only three or four of the 2009 winning side have consistently been with us this year. It 's however a good baptism for the newer players."

Tournament organization at each of the five tournaments was impeccable, giving fans and players alike a wonderful rugby experience.

Western Union National Sevens Circuit

Main Cup Final Results

Christie Sevens

Quins 15 Mwamba 10

Prinsloo Sevens

Mwamba 17 Quins 12

Dala Sevens

Mwamba 15 Quins 12

Kabeberi Sevens

Mwamba 28 Quins 14

Driftwood Sevens

Quins 24 Impala 14

2010 Western Union National Sevens Circuit Top 10

1. Mwamba 134 points
2. Quins 129 points
3. Impala 101 points
4.Nakuru 77 points
5.KCB 73 points
6.Strathmore 61 points
7.Machine 33 points
8.Homeboyz 32 points
9.Kisumu 24 points
10. Blak Blad 13 points