Driftwood Sevens Preview

The caravan that is the Safaricom Sevens Series will make it's way to the coast this weekend, for the third leg, the Driftwood Sevens.

This will be the 24th edition of the tournament held at the Mombasa Sports Club, will for the first time in a while be played smack in the middle of the circuit. It comes after a one week break, meaning teams will have rested and worked on their weaknesses, thus it is expected to be the best showing so far.

Homeboyz celebrating their Kabeberi title.

Coming into Mombasa, the overall title race is between the top 6 teams on the log. 10 points separate leaders Mwamba and 7th placed Impala. It is becoming a highly unpredictable series and any of the top 6 sides can walk away with the Driftwood title, and with the likes of Western Bulls and Nondies lurking on the fringes it is really anyone's title.

We should have a clearer picture towards where the title is headed after Sunday, with that field of 6 expected to be trimmed down to about four or maybe less.

As has been the norm this season, 32 teams will compete in the two divisions over the weekend. In Division 1, the 2013 Kabeberi Sevens champions Homeboyz headline Pool A and are joined by the Western Bulls, Nakuru and hosts Mombasa in what will be considered as the Pool of Death.

POOL A 

For many, the djs finally realised the potential they have been showing over the past two seasons by picking up the Kabeberi title. The impetus is now upon them to show that they can maintain the momentum and challenge for the title from this point. That task will be made much harder considering the fact that they will be without a good number of the players and their head coach who are currently in camp with the U-19 side.

But with their core players, Augustine Lughonzo, Oscar Ayodi, Leonard Mugaisi and Joshua Chisanga still available, you feel that they will be able to mount a serious challenge at the Driftwood title. They currently are tied on points with Quins on 32 points in third and will be looking to keep up with the leaders Mwamba and probably leave Mombasa top of the pile.

Augustine Lughonzo in action at Kabeberi.

It could be said that the Bulls are at the point where the Homeboyz were last season, but with a bit more fire power in their armoury. The Echulusi have so far lost in the Plate final at Dala and a Semi at the same stage in Kabeberi. They have fallen by very small margins in these two occasions and they will hope that they have finally come of age and break into the later stages of the cup.

The Bulls will pose the greatest challenge to the Homeboyz and will probably fancy their chances against the Djs, this match promises to be a cracker.

Nakuru have found themselves in the deep end over the last two legs wallowing in the Bowl competition. In their defence, they have improved from losing at the Bowl Semi to winning the title at Kabeberi. If they keep the trend going, then it means that they will be looking at a spot in the cup on Day 2. They however find themselves in a tight pool, having narrowly lost to the Bulls in Kabeberi and also facing the in form Homeboyz.

Nakuru have been in a tight spot.

The Wanyore showed some great flashes during their first match at Kabeberi against KCB but dipped from that point. They will be looking to make a similar start at the coast and this time hold it there through out the two days.

Hosts Mombasa will be out of their depth here and will surprise many if they manage to win a match here, in fact lose by less than 15 points. But with the home support you never know, they might just upset the big boys here.

POOL B

Current series leaders Mwamba headline this Pool, the black shirts are joined by Nondies, Kisumu and Kabras Sugar.

Kulabu has so far been the only side alongside Quins that has shown consistency in the past two legs. Their two cup final losses see them sit top of the pile on 38 points, the 2011 champions will be looking for another cup final appearance here and hope for a win this time to keep that lead intact.

The black shirts will still be missing the services of flyer Collins Injera, but as they showed in Kabeberi they have the depth to achieve the goals they have set. Horace Otieno, Dan Sikuta and the returning Mike Agevi will be vital for the side.

This will be Nondies' second tournament in the series, they put up a great showing in Kabeberi eventually falling at the Plate Semi finals. The rangers took Mwamba all the way in their Cup quarter final at Kabeberi, losing at the death. They will be looking to get one over Mwamba in the final match of the Pool in what is expected to be the Pool decider.

With 10 points from Kabeberi, the white shirts will be looking to surpass that mark in Mombasa and make up valuable ground.

Kisumu have been Bowl professionals of sorts after the first two legs, winning the category in Dala then losing at the final in Kabeberi. The Kondele boys have been showing glimpses of great play over the two outings but have failed to keep this form constant. They will be out to upset the balance in this Pool and make it to the Cup for the first time this season.

Finally, Kabras Sugar have earned a spot in the first division, after Eldoret pulled out of the trip to the coast. Kabras were a class above their opponents in the second division and dominated the category without much struggle. They will finally come up against worthy opponents and will be put to test in every minute of play, especially in this Pool. The Likes of Brian Nyikuli, Allan Omuka, Edwin Achayo and Malik Ndemi will be vital in their charge.

Kabras in action at Kabeberi

This pool looks evenly poised and you get the feeling we will be in for a shocker at the close of day one action.

POOL C

The Most successful side in Driftwood history, Quins with 10 titles under their belts (or 9, depending who you ask) headline Pool C, they will battle it out against Strathmore, Daystar and Stormers on Day 1.

Fourth and third place finishes in the two legs played see the defending Series champions are perched in 3rd, tied with Homeboyz on 32 points, six points behind leaders Mwamba. The quartered shirts are well inside the title fight and will be looking to still be in it on Sunday evening. The return of Felix Ayange and Denis Muhanji will be vital to their campaign seeing as they will miss the services of play maker Kevin Keegan.

The 2013 Dala champions have had an up and down campaign this far, following their win in Dala with a Plate final defeat in Nairobi. The Leos are now in second spot on the overall log, 4 points behind leaders Mwamba. It is no secret that the students have what it takes to win this series, but as we saw when they came up against the Homeboyz, it wont be that easy.

Tony Owuor in Full Flight

Billy Odhiambo is a huge doubt for Mombasa, his absence will be felt in the side, but with the likes of Tony Owuor, Cyprian Kuto and Adrian Opondo they will have enough cover.

Strathmore beat Quins in the Cup semi final on their way to the triumph in Dala, expect a great encounter when they meet again in the final match of the pool.

Daystar were the surprise package in Dala, making it to the Cup competition against all odds. That tag however quickly disappeared in Nairobi where they bowed out at the Bowl Semi. The Falcons will be looking to get back to their upset causing ways in Mombasa.

The Savanna Stormers have also had a see saw run in the two tournaments played, losing at the Bowl Final in Dala then bowing out at the Shield Semi in Nairobi. It will be a tough pool for the Stormers, though we know they can hold their ground.

POOL D

Two time Driftwood Champions Impala, headline Pool D and are joined by last year's winners here KCB, Blak Blad and Machine.

Impala and Blad have had this thing going where they have been pooled together for each of the three legs this far, Quins were also part of this but have since moved on, and have been seemingly replaced by Machine.

Impala have been on an upward slope so far, wining the Plate in Dala and finishing fourth at Kabeberi, the boks are in 6th on 28 points and are still in with a shout at the overall title. The red shirts will be looking to keep that run going and make it to the final. They will be missing the services of influential captain Robert Aringo and George Okowa, a big blow to the side.

Impala and KCB in action at Kabeberi.

KCB are probably the most under achieving side in the series, looking at the players they have at their disposal. A 3rd place finish and a Plate win see them lie 5th on the log, on 30 points, eight off the pace. They will be looking to defend their Driftwood title and narrow that gap come Sunday. That task will be made harder as they will be missing captain Andrew Amonde and maybe Phillip Wamae who is a major doubt.

Blak blad have been below par so far, a Bowl semi final in Dala and a Shield Final in Kabeberi see them languishing in 15th on 6 points. Blad will be looking to have climbed a few places up the log at the close of Business Sunday.

Machine have also had a staggering run so far, Winning the Shield in Dala before bowing out at the semi final of the same stage at Kabeberi. They currently lie in 16th, two points behind Blad. They have met all the above teams this season and know what to expect from them. Expect the game against Blad to be a cracker.

DIVISION II

With the promotion of Kabras, the Division II title race is wide open with TUK, KCA, Catholic University, Masaku and MMU leading the race for the Driftwood title. 

TUK are top seeds in Mombasa and headline Pool E and are joined by Catholic, TUM and Mombasa II, here is the breakdown of the rest of the Pools.

Pool F : MMU, MKU, Spartans, Aviators.

Pool G : KCA, Comras, JKUAT Voi, Ukunda RFC.

Pool H : Masaku, Thika RFC, AP Embakasi, Malindi RFC. 

With that ladies and gents, do enjoy the sun the sand and the rugby, lets compare notes on Monday....


KWISHA, Nimeruka Nje!!!!