Kenya Harlequins Update 16/11/2006
By Herbert Mwachiro
November 17 2006
Kenya Harlequin vowed to return for the top prize next year after finishing second to Uganda’s UTL Kobs when the 13th Hima Mak 10-a-side tournament ended at Kyadondo ground on November 5.
The development side, which had a sprinkle of two experienced players – Joel Ng’ang’a and Tito Oduk, defied all odds to reach the final where they fell 5-22 to a strong UTL Kobs outfit that had the Crane’s backline and two Kenya internationals – Job Weku and George Scott Oluoch.
Former national coach Thomas Odundo admitted it would have been asking for too much of the team to win the title. “Deep down, I did not expect a win especially against an outfit which had the bulk of Uganda players,” he said.
Jack Masika who played a pivotal role in the team as captain said the Hima Mak 10’s was a great tournament. “We learnt a lot and it was a good show by the players,” he acknowledged.
UTL Kobs captain Timothy Mudoola said the Hima Mak 10’s was tougher than last year’s. “This is because more Kenya teams came over which made it quite tough at the pool stages. We won because of speed discipline and dedication.”
Quins who enjoyed a good support from the Kenyans in Uganda defeated Nakuru 25-0 in an all-Kenyan semi-final. This was after Quins silenced Entebbe Mongers 29-0 in the main cup quarterfinal.
But, Quins became instant millionaires despite finishing second. The runners-up pocketed Ush1 million (Sh50,000) with UTL Kobs walking away with twice the amount.
In the final, Quins trailed 0-17 at half time. Masika twice stopped UTL Kobs backs on the try-line with crunching tackles before Adrian Bukenya crossed the line. National team player Edmond Tumisiime raced over for the second before UTL Kobs flier Allan Musoke who has just been called up to the Africa Leopards scored the third. Constantine Wandera converted for a 17-0.
It was Musoke who stretched the lead 22-0 with his second try. Quins came back strongly and pulled one back.
Quins saw off Nakuru RFC 7-0 in the semi final. Masika raced over and Tito Oduk converted. UTL Kobs beat G4S Pirates 17-0 in the other semi-final. Try scorers for UTL Kobs were Simon Wakabi, Musoke and Isaac Lutwama with Wandera adding one conversion.
In the main cup quarterfinals, Quins convincingly beat Entebbe Mongers 29-0. Masika touched down and Oduk converted for a 7-0 lead. Then Tony Mutai barged over after Lewis Olaka caught the ball in the line five metres from the try line for a 12-0 lead at half time.
On resumption Masika crossed the line for his second and Oduk was sure. Caesar Ondula and Andrew Rauto scored two unconverted tries for Quins to book a date with Kenya Harlequin.
Nakuru upset hosts Hima Impis I 5-0 in the quarter final. The teams tied 0-0 at the break before Nick Lang’o hacked the ball to the line to touch down for the decisive try. With the hooter off, Hima Impis I came back strongly but for a solid defence by Nakuru.
Day 2 results
Main Cup quarter finals: UTL Kobs 12 Mean Machine 7, MTN Heathens 0 G4S Pirates 0 (G4S Pirates win by a toss of the coin), Kenya Harlequin 29 Entebbe Mongers 0, Hima Impis 0 Nakuru 5; Semi-finals: UTL Kobs 17 G4S Pirates 0, Kenya Harlequin 7 Nakuru 0; Final: Kenya Harlequin v UTL Kobs
The off-season is here and the club is very much alive. Several social events have been lined up by the Social Committee (see attached). A brief run on what happens week by week is as follows:
Monday - Rest day. Though you can pass and have one on your way home.
Tuesday - Fitness and Training. This can be done on the pitch or by the bar.
Wednesday - Come Wash your car at the club. Actually its a brilliant excuse to have a couple of pints at the club.
Thursday - Club Night. Same as Tuesday. Fitness and Training. This can be done on the pitch or by the bar.
Friday - Members Night. The place to begin your weekend. Come with your own steaks too. Meat and Drinks in a friendly environment. Makes you think twice about going anywhere else.
Saturday - After all your morning errands and family commitments, come watch the international rugby games at the club as you clear one hangover and embark on the next. All AUSTRALIA, Old Blacks, Springboks, French Frogs, British (England, Scotland, Wales, London Harlequins) and even Irish (yes Irish)! fans are welcome. Come with some meat too!
Sunday - Touch Rugby (For Real) on the pitch. Bring the family and friends and get healthy by sweating out all the impurities of the past 6 days and prepare yourself for the next week. This is the Christmas season remember. (Now very popular as last Sunday had a very healthy crowd at the club). Touch rugby commences at 12 midday and you can leave anytime after 6pm.
Bring in new members as well and let them know Quins is the place to be.
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