Kenya Harlequin has officially been crowned the 2024 National 7s Circuit champions after their closest rivals, Kabras RFC, were knocked out in the semi-final of the Prinsloo 7s by a determined Nondies side. The semi-final, played on Sunday, September 15, at the Nakuru Athletics Club, ended with Nondies securing a 15-5 victory over Kabras, ensuring that Kenya Harlequin clinched the overall title.
Earlier in the day, Nondies had delayed Harlequin’s title confirmation by defeating them in the earlier stages of the tournament, but their decisive victory over Kabras in the semi-final ensured Quins would take home the Circuit title. With this loss, Kabras can now only reach a maximum of 105 points in the standings, while Harlequin is guaranteed at least 109 points, making them the 2024 National 7s Circuit champions.
This achievement places Kenya Harlequin among the elite rugby clubs in Kenya, joining the ranks of Impala Saracens, Mwamba RFC, and KCB Rugby as one of the most successful teams in the history of the National 7s Circuit.
Nondies vs Kabras RFC (SF1)
In the first semi-final, Nondies came out with all guns blazing, taking the lead early in the game. Their first try came within minutes, putting them ahead 5-0. Benson Salem, who played a key role in Nondies’ attack, extended their advantage with a clever dummy that left Kabras’ defense floundering. Salem’s swift move allowed him to score the second try, giving Nondies a commanding 10-0 lead.
Kabras responded with a quick try from Jackson Siketa, who finished off a neat offload to close the gap to 10-5. However, despite Kabras’ efforts to mount a comeback, Nondies held firm. In the second half, Nyaenya Moseti added another try for Nondies, stretching their lead to 15-5 and securing their place in the final.
This victory sets up a highly anticipated rematch between Nondies and Strathmore Leos in the Prinsloo 7s final. The two teams last met in the 2023 Tisap 7s final, where Nondies emerged victorious with a narrow 12-7 win in sudden death overtime. Fans will be eagerly awaiting this final showdown as both teams look to secure the prestigious Prinsloo 7s title.
Strathmore Leos vs Menengai Oilers (SF2)
In the second semi-final, Strathmore Leos faced off against Menengai Oilers in a thrilling contest that went into extra time. Oilers started strong, scoring the first try through Lucky Byron to take a 7-0 lead. However, Strathmore quickly responded, with Kenyan international George Ooro leveling the score at 7-7 before halftime.
In the second half, Strathmore took the lead when Collins Maina powered over the line to put them ahead 12-7. But with just minutes left, Oilers struck back as Dennis Abukuse scored to tie the game at 12-12, sending the match into extra time.
The game’s decisive moment came almost immediately after the restart, as George Ooro once again proved to be the difference-maker. He collected the ball from kickoff and charged through the Oilers defense to score the winning try, securing Strathmore’s place in the final with a 17-12 victory.
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Harlequin’s Journey to the Circuit Title
Kenya Harlequin’s journey to the 2024 National 7s Circuit title was solidified with a convincing 24-5 quarterfinal victory over Blak Blad earlier in the tournament. The win allowed Quins to overtake Kabras in the standings, placing them in a dominant position to clinch the overall championship.
Quins’ quarterfinal match saw them awarded a penalty try early on after Blak Blad’s Kelvin Gathu committed a high tackle on David Williams. With Gathu sent to the sin bin, Quins capitalized on the advantage, scoring twice more before halftime to lead 19-0. Blak Blad managed a late consolation try through Meja Mulongo, but Amon Wamalwa sealed Quins’ victory with a final try, sending them into the semi-finals and securing their spot as the 2024 champions.
Nakuru RFC’s Strong Playoff Push
In other action, Nakuru RFC advanced to the fifth-place playoff after a commanding 20-0 victory over Stallions. Tries from Philip Okeyo, Felix Okoth, and Paul Lusesi secured Nakuru’s dominant win, earning them a spot in the fifth-place final where they will face Kenya Harlequin.
With the final match between Nondies and Strathmore Leos looming, excitement is building as fans anticipate an action-packed conclusion to the Prinsloo 7s. Both teams will be eager to claim the prestigious title, adding another chapter to what has been a memorable 2024 National 7s Circuit.
As the dust settles on a thrilling day of rugby, Kenya Harlequin’s achievement as the 2024 National 7s Circuit champions cements their legacy as one of the top teams in Kenyan rugby, while Nondies and Strathmore Leos prepare to battle it out for the Prinsloo 7s crown.
