Kenya Harlequins Update 25/10/2006
By Herbert Mwachiro
October 25 2006
National Sevens Kings 'Kenya Harlequin' retained the National Sevens Championship for the second successive year. This year's championship went down to the wire with Quins ahead of the chasing pack having scored ten more tries than second placed Impala and twelve more than third placed Mwamba.
All 3 teams finished the circuit with 60 points but Quins had the better try count at the end of the day. KCB finished fourth on 56 points though they had 108 tries. Quins finished tops again and with that came their automatic entry into the 2007 Tusker Safari Sevens and Kshs 65,000 prize money. A paltry sum for their efforts but nevertheless received with open arms.
The Motorola Christie 7's was always going to be hard for Quins. Having won 2 tournaments on the trot Quins were very much in everyone's focus. And with it being a winner take all event, Impala, KCB and Mwamba sharpened their claws and their game.
Day 1 for Quins was a routine affair as they whitewashed Mwamba ll, JKUAT and 'Mean' Machine. Machine proved a bit stubborn but in the end it proved futile as they were swept away. Impala, KCB and Mwamba were not sleeping either as they all swept away their opposition to move into the quarter finals. No major surprises on day 1, everything according to form.
Day 2 saw the top four sweep away their quarterfinal opposition with ease and the semi final pairings were set. Quins would face Mwamba, a team they had not encountered in the circuit while a resurgent Impala would face a fast-fading KCB who limped into the semis. And that is where the drama begun.
Quins were dumped out of their own tournament by Mwamba 14-12 in what was undoubtedly the best match of the tournament and the faithful were in shock. Had the dream come to an end? Only time would tell. Impala on the other hand dismissed KCB to Hades as they set up themselves for a battle with Mwamba in the final. With Quins and KCB out the reality dawned to the Quins faithful that it was time to draw out the calculators and work out the the possibilities. Could the championship still come our way? Was there an angel in heaven wearing a Quins shirt?
The scenario was that Quins had 60 points and 104 tries. KCB had 108 tries but 56 points and were definitely out of the running. If Impala won the final then they would be champions as they would have 64 points and prior to the final had 90 tries. If Mwamba won they would reach 60 points but being on 87 tries needed to score 17 tries in the final to win the overall title. With that in mind the faithful 'temporarily' switched allegiance to Mwamba and prayed to the Good Lord for a Mwamba victory.
As the final was underway Mwamba had a big army of supporters' and they all sung Mwamba's praises. The Good Lord did not disappoint and it seemed that day in heaven was a Quinday and the colours of the Quin were painted in heaven. Mwamba went on and thrashed Impala 32-24 much to the annoyance of the 3 Impala supporters. Immediately the final whistle blew, the Quins anthem was in the air as the support given to Mwamba had done its work and it was unashamedly back to being a Quin again. Mwamba had handed the National Sevens Championship to Quins. Quins retained the overall title while Mwamba retained the Motorola Christie 7's. Fair exchange gentlemen and the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. In this case Impala were the real enemy as they completed their season without a single trophy in their cabinet. Quins were reigning yet again! Congrats to the lads. We are on top of the mountain!
The rest of the night with DJ Pinye in the house was celebrated in true Quins fashion. With the finals being played on a Saturday there was no pressure to go home that night. 'A Quin never gets drunk, he/she just gets tired', and that night ladies and gentlemen we proceeded to get very very very very tired.
The Quins Kweens came off second best to Mwamba Invaders in the ladies section. A gutsy and well improved performance was not enough to stop Mwamba Invaders but their performance was one to keep their heads up. Well done ladies, next year the cups will come your way. Keep it up!
The victorious Quins were Sidney Ashioya (c), Allan Onyango, Namcos Simiyu, Leon Adongo, Kennedy Gikaru, Tony Mutai, Felix Ochieng, Dan Ngonga, Joel Kinaro, Victor Sudi, Joash Odhalo, Amos Agiro , Peter Abuoga, George Karanu and Tim Lee Muraguri. Coaches Gordon Anampiu and Ken Thimba.
A big thanks to all the sponsors, organisers and fans who turned up and made the Motorola Christie 7's the best of all the four sevens tournaments in the circuit.
Title Sponsor: Motorola
Support Sponsors: Coca-Cola, Jus Chicken
Friends of Quins: AON Minet, Deloitte, Accpro Logistics, ZK Advertising, Next Technologies, AAR, Sunrise Security
See you at the club. We are open everyday!
Quins will be in Kampala 4th and 5th November taking part in the Hima Tens tournament. That is a good fun weekend!
MEMBERSHIP:
We request members to pay their subscriptions in order to help finance and support the activities of the club. Please support the efforts of the club.
Categories:
Sure -Kshs 1,000 (Annual only for registered players)
Strong - Kshs 5,000 (Annual)
Superior - Kshs 10,000 (Annual)
Legend - Kshs 100,000 (Life membership)
Please reach out to as many Friends of Quins (FOQ) as possible and if there are contacts of people out there young and old and with Quins at heart please let us have their contacts as well.
The 2006 membership drive continues.
42.Spider Waigwa Ndegwa - Superior
41.Ezekiel Owuor - Superior
40.Daniel Obam - Superior
39.Gabriel J O Ouko - LEGEND
38.Stephen Mutoro - Superior
37.George Karanu - Sure
36.Charles Murunga - Strong
35.Brian Njenga - Superior
34.Betty Oloo - Strong
33.Jesse Onsando - Superior
32.Andrew 'Forest' Waititu - Superior
31.Fred Ouko - Superior
30.Tim 'Papa Tim' Githugu - Superior
29.Dan 'Scooby' Mugo - Superior (Honorary V/Chairman)
28.Thomas Lebreton - Superior
27.John Moore Ohaga - Superior
26.Kate Anampiu - Superior
25.John Kiarie - Superior
24.Masika Mukule - Strong
23 .David Waithaka - Strong
22.Richard Mukoma - Superior
21.Patrick Kiambi - Superior
20.Vincent Rariewa - Superior
19.Eliud Siganga - Superior
18.Sammy Okaro - Strong
17.Daag Ham Onsando - Superior (Honorary V/Chairman)
16.William Mudavadi - Superior
15.Thomas Odundo - Superior
14.Herbert Mwachiro - Superior
13.Sammy Muraya - Superior
12.Geoff Anampiu - Strong
11.Gordon Anampiu - Superior
10.Gabriel Ouko - Superior
9.Philip Jalango - Superior
8.Rodrigues Orawo - Superior
7.Aidan Moore - Superior
6.Ralph Nzomo - Superior
5.James Absaloms Juma - Superior
4.Ken Muli - Superior
3.Andrew Kimani - Superior
2.Dominique Dimba - Superior
1.Esther W Nganga - Strong