Masaku..The Review.

The inaugural Masaku 7's, was played out at the Machakos Golf club this past weekend, (just in case you were away from the greater East African region)..as many Nairobians flocked the tiny grounds to come see first hand where most of their mboches hail from, also the rugby..and in all honesty, I think the tournament exceeded most of our expectations and by a good mile or so. For a town that has had little or no rugby action at all, mayakos made it look like they have been here forever..they really did stand up to be counted as a major prospect for rugby development in the not so far future. A tip of the hat to the organisers, I just fall short of saying that two years down the line, with the same effort put in, Masaku will be bigger than Nax vegas..It's just an hour's drive from the city and the social life there is not so bad. If I may say so myself..

The inaugural Masaku 7's Champions, Kenya Harlequins.

The rugby on display was not all that, but it was pretty enjoyable that much was evident. Watching these teams full of raw rather 'primitive' energy so to say, playing it out was a great treat. Kenya Harlequins claimed the overall title beating Mwamba 21-12, with Thika RFC winning the Plate. Team of the tournament for me has to be the Portland Stormers, led by bwana Hon. Secretary Jack Okoth, they put in a pretty solid performance every time I saw them in action, eventually bowing out at the Main cup semi. The tournament's MVP went to one Lyle Asiligwa, must have been the pink boots, top  try scorer was Nick Barasa both of Kenya Harlequins. 

A moment that I must share with y'all happened at the end of day 1, the final game of the day to be precise..The Portland Stormers taking on Masaku RFC. Fast forward to the dying minutes, with the Stormers having dominated the game and now leading by several tries to nil. Guest player Collins 'the choo choo train' Injera who turned up for Masaku RFC broke the Stormers defence and was comfortably jogging to the line, then here comes one of the Masaku players sprinting after Collo from the half line calling for the ball. Since the choo choo train is used to making tries around the world he figured ah why not..so he waited for the chap to fika..passed the ball, infact it was a gut pass..alas, kumbe there was a Stormers guy lurking around..immediately after the pass was made..the Masaku player was chapwad tackle TIAF!! and spilled the ball in the try box...hehe! (I hope you have noticed how I have picked up an 'us guys of nanii' tone in that storo..). Next up, focus shifts to the Christie sevens at the RFUEA grounds this weekend...as we kick off the local sevens circuit proper.

To the serious side of sevens, not that Masaku was a joke or anything..the training camp at Kasarani has been on for the past 5 days and word from the camp is that huko hakuna jokes..they are doing exercises called Yoyos..hehe, I am told that they are not as easy to do as they are to the ear. All the best guys..train hard malipo ni hapa hapa!! The camp will result in a three tier side, a Main team, a second string side (Shujaa) with the third being development.

The 17th edition of the Safaricom Safari Sevens was officially launched earlier today, Africa's premier sevens tournament is set to take place from the 21st to the 23rd of September at the Nyayo national stadium. This year's edition is bound to be bigger and better, a star studded Samurai side boasting 6 all blacks and the Fiji sevens captain will be the main attraction at the Nyayo Stadium. Other teams set to grace the tournament are the ever impressive Emerging Boks, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Namibia, Grenoble, British Army and obviously the Kenya and Shujaa teams. It will be the first time we see the revamped Kenya 7's sides so it should be a spectacle. Hoping Samoa will show up to defend their title...more on the same as we go by..

Finally a bit on the international stage, the Chiefs claimed this season's super Rugby title after walloping the hapless Sharks 36-7 at the Waikato stadium on Saturday morning (Kenya time). I promised some individual that I'll put up those adjectives if the Sharks lost. I know, I know...what was I thinking when I was betting on the sharks...but what can I say, I am a dreamer..

With that ladies and gents..have a great week ahead..aaannnddd...

KWISHA!!!

P.S What happens in Masaku remained there...hii mambo ya kumulikana social media jo, hehe, mtavunjia watu nymba..and finally to Masaku RFC please consider changing that name 'Kilunda' inasound ka joke or a name of a back street band...hehe anyway thanks guys for a great tournament..nginya mwaka osu ungii..