The Hong Kong 7's and Game week 16 Preview!

A lot of rugby going on this weekend, locally the respective leagues have now entered the home stretch, but we start in Hong Kong where our mboys will be in action from tomorrow, here are the fixtures and timings:

1. Kenya vs Samoa – Friday 12:50 pm
2. Kenya vs England – Saturday 6:20 am
3. Kenya vs Argentina – Saturday 11:28 am

It goes without saying that the above are in Kenya time and the game on Friday will be in the afternoon, not mid night just incase you were wondering. If you haven’t heard this by now, the mboys will be kitted by non other that Gilbert (yes they do make more than just balls) and thus will be donning the new kit tomorrow. Here are some photos of the kit(s).

The first strip.

Some of the mboys in the 1st strip.

Willie in the 2nd strip.

Maybe this is just the Kamba in me speaking but I’d have preferred the first strip to have a bit more green..no? But it’s still a great kit, would gladly spend the 6,000 on it. Away from the petty issues, this leg holds a lot for us as the results in this one will go a long way in determining our stay as a core team. There is no easy fixture here, all games will demand the full concentration and commitment of the mboys. The first game holds it all for me, if we manage to beat Samoa then carry on the momentum into the England game then we might just top this pool. Easier said than done? Maybe, but not impossible, we have met two of the above this far, in Dubai we lost to England 19-17, then drawing with them in vegas to top our pool, we met Samoa (now the vegas champions) in the main cup quarter narrowly losing 14-19. A win over one of these two then over Argentina who are no push overs by any means is very possible thus is our progression into the main cup quarter finals. Let's get there first then work our way up...

The university league enters its quarter final stage this weekend, with the following fixtures lined up: (Host teams mentioned first)

Egerton vs Kabarak

Kimathi vs Multimedia

Kenya Poly vs BlakBlad II

Catholic vs Thika RFC 

The only fixture in the Nationwide league will be the first leg semi final between Mombasa and USIU this one taking place at the coast.

In the Kenya Cup, the following fixtures will be lined up:

Strathmore vs Kisumu

Nondies vs Homeboyz

Nakuru vs Machine

Impala vs KCB

Mwamba vs Quins

Before we take a closer look at the fixtures, the game between Machine and Homeboyz was finally played at the UoN grounds on Wednesday. Homeboyz taking this closely contested match 18-15, it was only the second time these two were meeting, Machine had taken the first one 12-3. The result takes Homeboyz to 23 points but still 9th, two behind Eschuma. 

Strathmore will be hosting Kisumu, aiming to bounce back from their shock defeat at Homeboyz last weekend. The XXVII will be out to salvage their pride against a Kisumu side that doesn’t perform so well on their travels. The students from the good university are 4^th going into this one and since their title hopes were dashed they will be looking to improve their position, and ensure a strong finish to the season. The Kondele boys will fancy their chances however slim in this one, seeing as their opponents are coming off a defeat. The last time these two met, it ended in a 44-24 win for Strathmore.

Nondescripts will be entertaining Homeboyz at the jamuhuri grounds, both teams fresh off victories over Machine. Nondies who beat eschuma at the weekend will be looking to keep their winning ways going, as they are now chasing 6^th, they are currently 7^th, four points behind Impala. Homeboyz on the other hand have now put together 3 wins in as many games, and will be out to keep that momentum going. Nondies will pose a real challenge to the djs quest of improving on their table standings. The first leg fixture between these two ended in a 29-17 win for us guys of Nondies.

In the rift valley town, Nakuru will welcome their ‘boogey’ team the Mean Machine to the N.A.C. The last time these two met Machine took the points in their back yard with 23-20 win. The wanyore will have to get past this boogey if they are to cling on to the title race. Both sides are coming into this one off defeats, Nakuru to Quins and Machine most recently to Homeboyz. Machine always come with a sense of belief into this fixture whether it’s at home or away in the moon, so expect the eschuma to bring it at the N.A.C maybe even complete the double, maybe.

At the Impala grounds, the gazelles invite the Lions in what promises to be a tough encounter, the last time these two met at the den, they shared the spoils 15 ups. Based on recent form KCB will have the upper hand as Impala have been on a slump of late. That being said, Impala notched their first victory last weekend at Kisumu and will be buoyed by this. KCB are also coming into this one off a big win against Mwamba and will be looking to keep their chase for the Kenya cup alive with a win here. Impala whose 6^th position is under threat will know any slip ups here might see them drop further down the standings.

Finally to my feature match, the lunch bar Quins taking on Mwamba at a yet to be confirmed venue. The last time these two met, it started a resurrection of sorts for the lunch bars as they have not lost a game since they narrowly beat the then league leaders 22-21. Fast forward to this weekend and the two meet again with the tables turned literally. The lunch bars are now top of the table and looking like they will go all the way and defend their title, while Kulabu are in fifth with any hopes of the title having faded away last weekend after the defeat to KCB. Quins are coming into this one off a resounding victory over their closest title rivals Nakuru, they will be fancied to carry on with this form. Kulabu though with their dented pride will surely put it all out there looking to salvage their pride. It is going to be a cracker this one, maybe not as close as last time, but a definite cracker.

The great rift 10’s is just 2 weeks away, are y’all ready??!!!

With that fair ladies…enjoy your rugby packed weekends, remember to call me oh you too guys, except the calling part…..aaannnndddddd….

KWISHA!!!!!