Kenya Harlequins Retain Driftwood Sevens

By Herbert Mwachiro
October 12 2005

They came, they saw and they conquered. That summarised Kenya Harlequins rugby weekend at the Driftwood Sevens this past weekend. Quins retained their Driftwood Sevens title by beating Mwamba RFC 12-7 in a tense and pulsating final.

It was a classic final with excellent rugby displayed by both sides but in the end Quins did enough to take the trophy back home for the second successive year. Credit to Mwamba who were worthy opponents and more than anything they deserved to be in the final as they too had marched on steadily and efficiently, but it was the ruthless Quins who took top honours. The win saw Quins remain perched at the top of the standings 8 points clear of Impala whose hunt came a cropper in the semi finals against Mwamba. Quins' Sidney Ashioya still remains the top try scorer with 23 tries to his name.

Day one saw Quins struggle to beat a very determined and ever improving USIU - A 7 - 0. It seems the lads were still shaking off the effects of jetlag and a sumptuous breakfast. Thereafter Moi University making their maiden appearance this year were brushed aside 36 - 0 and thereafter JKUAT were meted out the same treatment 36 - 0 from a team that was determined to remind the beach goers that Quins were in the business of defending their title. 3 games 3 wins no try conceded saw Quins retire for the day and await the knockout stages.

Day two broke with temperatures quickly soaring to 32 degrees Celsius and it was time for the business. Mean Machine were the days first opponents and they were quickly dispatched to the doghouse. Peter Abuoga, Patrick Onyango, David Mogere, Allan Makaka, Allan Onyango,Sidney Ashioya and "veteran" Felix Ochieng were masterful in their execution. The Semi-final awaited us and the next to step into the ring were KCB who have been Quins opponents at this stage in the last two tournaments. Could they spring a surprise? and the answer was NO. They threw in the towel from the minute they walked in and played out the minutes before they could retreat to their sanctuary. Meanwhile Mwamba were pulling what was considered the upset of the tournament when they came from 2 tries behind to dump Impala 14 - 10 and out of the running. The faithful had started smelling blood already!!!!

The final saw two teams that had not met at all in the previous rounds square it off and from a classic finale Quins emerged Champions (again) having conceded only one try over the two day period. A record set by Quins and surely to be matched by none. Defence was top notch. They trophy was not leaving the cupboard and the same name was being inscribed again. The movement that had travelled all the way from Nairobi broke into song and tears as they celebrated that sweet sweet victory. It was a Sure, Strong and Superior victory in coastal fashion under the coconut trees.

This was a tour that one dared not miss. The fans and supporters who made it had the weekend of their lives. They drove down, flew down and even those who came by train were not going to be stopped by the derailment of a goods train they met on the way. Mombasa was the place to be and on Sunday night (with Monday being a public holiday), the Quins Anthem took over all discos and clubs and taxis in Mombasa. Castle Hotel was the base and Quins took over the facility returning it to the owners late yesterday afternoon. The Tour was a Tour. Some lost shoes, others paid for rooms they never slept in while others owned cars they never bought. All this happened in the name of Quins. As we say a Quin never gets drunk, he/she just gets tired and this weekend we were very very tired.

Focus now shifts to the final leg of the Sevens Circuit and this happens to be our own Christie Sevens falling this weekend on the 15th and 16th October 2005. Lets make the tournament the crème de la crème and also support the boys totally this weekend as they attempt to win a trophy that has eluded them in recent years. The overall winner of the circuit will be crowned this weekend and we wish Quins all the best. Good Luck Lads.

Also on Thursday 13th October is QUIZ NITE. Lets all be there.