Going into this one, KCB, Quins and hosts Mwamba are engulfed in the battle for the overall crown with two legs to play. Quins lead the log with 68 points, KCB are on 67 points and Kulabu further back on 58. With 30 points for the winner, the one who carries this one out of the three will have the upper hand going into the final leg. The other teams still with a shout at the main title are Strathmore on 48 points, Kisumu and Nakuru both on 43 points, Here is the full log:
1. Quins - 68
2. KCB - 67
3. Mwamba - 58
4. Strathmore - 48
5. Kisumu - 43
6. Nakuru - 43
7. Homeboyz - 27
8. Impala - 21
9. Blakblad - 11
10. Western Bulls - 10
11. KCA - 7
12. Nondies - 5
13. Stormers - 5
14. Kakamega - 5
15. Daystar - 3
16. Thika - 2
17. Masaku - 1
18. Machine - 0
The rest of the teams have not yet put points on the board, Quins are also the highest try scorers with 89 tries. Strathmore are second on 75 tries, while Mwamba have made 70 tries to come in third, KCB are fourth on 67 tries.
KCB are seeded first and headline Pool A, the Prinsloo winners are joined by Western Bulls, Comras and Mt. Kenya University. Last week's losing finalists Nakuru find themselves in Pool B with Daystar, Kimathi and Unicef Kakamega, here are the Pools:
Pool A
KCB
Western Bulls
Comras
Mt. Kenya Uni.
Pool B
Nakuru
Daystar
Kakamega
Kimathi
Pool C
Strathmore
Machine
Thika
Webuye
Pool D
Kisumu
Homeboyz
Stormers
KCA
Pool E
Harlequins
Impala
Nondies
Multimedia University
Pool F
Mwamba
Blakblad
Bungoma
Catholic
KCB begin their hunt for the second title against Mt. Kenya Uni, in the first match at 9 am which will be aired live on Super sport. The lions then go onto play Comras then finish Day 1 against the Echulusi.
Nakuru begin the day against Kimathi then play Kakamega a few minutes before noon then take on Daystar in their final game. The second games in the first two pools will not be broadcast live.
In Pool C, Strathmore will have to get past Webuye before taking on Thika Rfc then do battle in the University derby when they take on Machine in their final match of the day.
Pool D sees Kisumu come up against KCA then take on the Stormers in their second game before closing day 1 action against the Prinsloo bowl winners the Homeboyz.
The Pool of death has to be Pool E, with current circuit leaders and Prinsloo Plate winners Quins pitted against fierce rivals Impala and Nondies with Multimedia university being the unfortunate team that drew the short stick to find themselves in this Pool. Pools don't get more interesting than this, where else do you get 2 of the greatest rivalries in one pool.
This will be the second time if I'm not mistaken that the Ngong road derby will be played, Quins already met Impala at the Prinsloo Plate semi final of Prinsloo with the quartered shirts getting the better of the red ones 24-7. The oldest rivalry in Kenya Rugby will be rekindled when Quins take on Nondies, the two have managed to steer clear of each other, to this point.
Though they have had contrasting fortunes in this circuit an encounter between the two always tears up form books and raises emotions from all quarters. Quins warm up against Multimedia in their first game with Impala taking on Nondies, The second round of Games sees Impala taking on MMU with Nondies coming up against Quins. The final round of games sees Quins take on Impala with Nondies cooling their tracks against MMU. The only early positive that MMU can take from this pool is that all their games will be aired live thus if they were to pull an upset it will be witnessed all over the continent.
In Pool F, hosts Mwamba will have an opportunity to avenge last week's loss to Blakblad at the Prinsloo Plate semi finals. The black shirts are pooled with the blad, Bungoma and Catholic university. Kulabu kick off their campaign against Bungoma then play Catholic before meeting Blakblad in the final match of the day.
There are no clear favourites for me in this one, the top teams will be missing their key players to the National sevens team for the second time, this kind of evens out the odds well depending on who you support. Any of the following 6 teams have a shot at the Kabeberi title. KCB, Quins, Mwamba, Kisumu, Nakuru and Strathmore. With Impala and Homeboyz being the outside favourites.
After day 1 the teams will be ranked according to the points they have amassed, the top 8 going onto the main cup quarter finals. So expect teams to give their all in every game as they look to rake in as many points as possible.
In other news, Ni Kesho...suti umepiga pasi kweli? I bet you have received a text, wall post or some kind of notification reminding you or urging you to vote for the nominees to the Elliptics awards. Well voting is set to close in a few hours so get those votes in here..www.ministryofrugby.com or text "Elliptics" to 7955. As we get ready to crown the best of the best in Kenya Rugby.
With that ladies and gentlemen, kesho nabeba ma 50 bob tu..nitakua nachana fresh chewing gum, they will be giving free tequilla shots for every stick bought...
KWISHA...Nimeruka nje!!!!