KCB Rugby showed their strength early at the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa with two dominant wins to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The bankers opened their campaign in Group C with a hard-fought 24-14 victory over Daystar Falcons before thrashing hosts Mombasa Sports Club 43-0 in their second match.
In their opening clash, Dennis Mwanja’s side started fast with Festus Shiasi scoring the opening try on the left wing.
Former Kenya Sevens skipper Vincent Onyala then danced through the defence to double the lead, giving KCB a 12-0 cushion.
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Daystar Falcons fought back, with Kenya 7s international Patrick Odongo scoring a brace, including one after a slick backline move, giving Daystar a temporary 14-12 lead.
But KCB hit back quickly, with former Daystar player Floyd Wabwire scoring against his former team to restore the lead. Shiasi sealed the win with a late try and conversion after pouncing on a Daystar mistake.
In their second match, KCB were unstoppable. Wabwire ran in two early tries before Jenkins Kipruto chipped and chased to score a stunning third.
The second half was one-way traffic as Emmanuel Opondo, Bob Muhati, debutant Dominic Sande, and Elvis Olukusi all crossed the line to seal the 43-0 rout, and finish with six points.
Defending champions Kenya Harlequin, adjusting to life after the departure of head coach Paul Murunga, also reached the quarters with two wins in Group B.
They began with a close 14-7 win over KU Blak Blad before improving in their second game, beating Mwamba RFC 17-0 in a more convincing display.
In-form Kabras Sugar RFC also made a statement in Group A with back-to-back victories.
The sugarmen dismantled Nakuru RFC 26-0 before outclassing Impala RFC 21-7. The national sevens circuit leaders look set for another strong finish as they continue their hunt for a third straight cup final appearance this season.
In the same group, Catholic Monks beat Impala 15-0 but fell 24-0 to Nakuru RFC, missing out on the last eight.
MMUST RFC were another impressive side in Mombasa, winning both of their Pool B matches to march into the quarterfinals. They opened with a 14-10 win over Mwamba RFC and then beat KU Blak Blad 14-7 in a tightly contested match.
MMUST head coach John Asila expressed confidence in his team’s ability to go far.
“The boys have shown character and resilience. We’ve grown as a unit, and our goal is to reach the semifinals or even further. The knockouts are always tough, but we are ready,” Asila said.
Strathmore Leos also dominated Group D with back-to-back wins. The university side cruised past Kabarak University 28-0 and Stallions Rugby 26-0 to sail through unbeaten.
Menengai Oilers joined them from the same group, seeing off Stallions 19-0 before edging past Kabarak University 19-14 in a close match.
Nondescripts RFC also booked their ticket to the quarters from Group C alongside KCB after edging Daystar Falcons 10-7 and blanking hosts Mombasa SC 19-0.