The BRSS Match Day 2 and London 7's Preview.

The Bamburi Super series enters it's second round of matches at the weekend as the mboys finish up this year's HSBC Sevens circuit in London, there will also be fixtures played in the Chairman's Cup.

We start off in London, where the mboys will be looking to finish what has been a largely disappointing season on a high as they build towards the next one. We will be taking on New zealand, Argentina and Russia in Pool A, as we have seen time and again this season there are no easy teams, so those looking at Russia with a smile..it wont be that straight forward. Here are the fixtures in Kenya Time:

Kenya vs Argentina - 14:20
Kenya vs New zealand - 17:04
Kenya vs Russia 19:28  

For those who struggle with the 24 hour clock hehe the games are at 2:20, 5:04 and 7:28 pm respectively. So we finally meet New Zealand again, for those who remember we met the all blacks in Australia where they beat us 26-5. I'll be watching this game against NZ closely as it will be an indicator as to whether we've improved this season, it's mainly the same squad with one Asego coming in for another in Chris and Lavin, 5 of the guys in London were present for the first game. Apart from that I'll be looking to see if we have improved in our defense an area Mitch admitted was a stumbling block over the week, and our set pieces. If we have these two areas set then I don't see why we shouldn't make it to the Main cup quarter finals.

As mentioned the Bamburi super series sees it's second round of fixtures take place this weekend, here are those fixtures :

Cheetahs vs Coastal Bulls Kick off 2pm at the Jamuhuri Grounds.
Lions vs Sharks 4pm at the Jamuhuri Grounds.
Buffaloes vs Victoria 4pm at the Mumias Sports Complex
Rwenzori vs Rhinos 4:30pm at the Kampala RUFC

The games that were to take place at the RFUEA have been moved to the Jamuhuri grounds/ ASK show grounds, ile place Kibaki anafunguaga show officially..eehhh hapo. Those who were at the RFUEA swamp or those who managed to watch the games that were played there will agree with this move, the water logged turf slowed down the pace of the games greatly, Tony Onyango alikua anabreak anashikwa na Ndong hehe. It was like watching guys playing in a big grid, the grid for those who don't know is a training drill where the forwards and sometimes backs run into each other in a small 5 by 5 grid. In my early years we used to call it the 'Concussion session', lets hope the Jamuhuri ground will be better.

The Cheetahs will be looking to build on their narrow 11-7 win over the Sharks and secure passage into this year's semi final when they take on the Coastal bulls in the early kick off. The Bulls who had an impressive start against the Lions before going down 45-6 will have to put their house in order for the whole 80 minutes if they are to get anything from this match.

The Buffaloes will be playing host to the Victoria in what is expected to be a close encounter, the Buffaloes had a great second half against the other Ugandan franchise the Rwenzori though they did eventually go down 43-31. The Buffaloes will be looking to put in a similar performance from the start against the Victoria as they look to record their first victory in the Series. The Victoria who were out played, out gunned, out muscled *insert all the out- words you know here* by the Rhinos in their first match, will be looking to put that result behind them with a victory here. The last time these two met, the Victoria were 16-5 winners, they will be hoping for a repeat of that result this weekend.

Th defending champions Rhinos will be travelling to Kampala to face the side they beat in last year's semi final the Rwenzori. The Rhinos will be buoyed by that emphatic win against the Victoria heading into this one. The Rhinos were 38-7 winners at the RFUEA last year and will fancy their chances of a repeat the result in Kampala. The Rwenzori who also come into this one off a victory, over the Buffaloes will be looking to make it two from two at home. Kenyan teams in general don't have a great record in games played across the western border and the Rwenzori will be banking to their home support to help them keep this record as is. Though if my memory serves me right the Rhinos have won in Uganda before...

Tony Onyango in action vs Cheetahs (Photo Courtesy of the BRSS page on Face book)

The other match at the Jamuhuri grounds will be a crunch tie between the Lions and Sharks..the two will be meeting for the second time in as many years. That game ended 32-25 to the Sharks after the Lions had led 25-15 early in the second half. The lead had changed hands five times in the first half before the game went into the break tied at 15 all. A second half surge by the Sharks saw them bite off that lead and win 32-25 thanks to tries from Collins Injera and Joel Omer. This time round Collins Injera will be donning the Lion's colours, I'm hoping that he's looking to inflict the same amount of pain to the Sharks faithful as he did to the Lions' last year, hehe. Anyway this is going to be a real cracker with the both sides having different strengths, the Sharks in the backs and the Lions in the forwards though looking at the Lions back line, you have to say that it looks better than it was last year.

The Chairman's Cup also will be playing out it's Day 2, I still don't have the fixtures or day 1 results..though I do know KCB lost 11-17 to Impala and Nakuru beat Nondies 44-12 at the NAC. Machine received a walk over against MMU, while Strath beat Blak blad..I hope I get the results and fixtures by the next post.

The East African squad that will represent East Africa during the tour of the English Counties on 9th June (Kampala) and 16th June (Nairobi), the provisional squad of 40 will be trimmed to 32 during a friendly match on the 1st of June. The 40 are :

From Uganda : 

Alex Mubiru, Anthony Kinene, Andrew Olweny, Bennon Kiiza, Brian Odong, Dennis Mulo, James Kimono, Jude Keremudu, Justin Kimono,Marvin Odongo, Matthias Ochwo, Matial Tchumkam, Michael Wokorach, Robert Seguya, Romano Ogwal, Ronald Adigas, Scott Oluoch, Solomon Mawanda, Steve Ogwete.

From Kenya :

Biko Adema, Chris Oduor, Collins Injera, Dan Adongo, David Ambunya, Dennis Muhanji, Eden Agero, Humphrey Kayange, Isaac Adimo, Joel Ng'ang'a, Lavin Asego, Lawrence Buyachi, Leslie Libasia, Peter Mutai, Nick Kirimi, Nick Baraza, Patrice Agunda, Ronnie Mwenesi,Tony Onyango, Vincent Mose, Wilson Kopondo (Kenya)

Head Coach: Ham Onsando, Assistant Coaches: Michael Otieno, Yayiro Kasasa, Team Manager: Wangila Simiyu 

I expect us (the Kenyans) to provide most of the backs while the sebbos take up the huge chunk in the forwards going by the performance of the just concluded Elgon cup. The inclusion of the Bulls' (not the BRSS franchise) back row Dan Adongo in the squad is really exciting, along with the U.K based Humphrey Khayange. I know rumours were rife that Peter De Villiers would coach the Elgon Warriors (that's the name that the squad will go by) some of us had even washed our spring bok jerseys and bought new pens ready for the autograph but unfortunately it looks like the outspoken former boks coach and world cup winner will not be making the trip to East Africa. 

Finally Aberdeen Shikhoyi will be laid to rest this weekend on Saturday 12th in Ikolomani, let's keep the family friends and team mates in our prayers.I'd also like to commend the Rugby community for the support shown during this period, it shows what a tight knit community we really are..may we keep this up!

R.I.P Abesh.. (Photo Courtesy of Mwamba RFC)

And With that Ladies and Gentlemen.....do have a great weekend ahead...aaannnnddddd.....

KWISHA...NIMERUKA NJE!!! 
(The 'Nimeruka Nje' phrase is Courtesy of one Phillip 'Odiero' Wamae..hehe)