The 35th edition of the Driftwood Sevens, part of the SportPesa National 7s Rugby Circuit, concluded with an electrifying finale at the Mombasa Sports Club, where Kenya Harlequins (Quins) edged out KCB Rugby 15-12 to be crowned champions.
The tightly contested match saw the Quins pocket Sh100,000, while KCB Rugby took home Sh50,000 for their valiant effort.
The Quins’ victory solidifies their dominance in the ongoing SportPesa 7s circuit, where they are currently top-seeded with 97 points. This win marks their second title of the season, having previously claimed the Ingo 7s crown in Kakamega.
Kabras Rugby Club, last year’s Driftwood Sevens champions, secured third place after defeating KU BlakBlad 7-5 in the third-place playoff, earning Kes 25,000.
An Intense Battle for the Title
KCB Rugby struck first in the final, quickly building a 12-0 lead with a converted and an unconverted try. However, the Quins rallied in the second half, thrilling their fans with two tries to equalize, setting up a tense finish. With the crowd on their feet, the Quins sealed the win with a late try, claiming their second title of the season.
Quins captain Richel Wangila expressed confidence in the team’s chances going forward. “This is our second win, and we’re not slowing down. We’re set to win Prinsloo 7s and the overall SportPesa 7s Circuit title,” said Wangila, highlighting their determination for the next leg.
A Look Ahead
With the victory in Mombasa, Quins have positioned themselves as favorites for the overall SportPesa 7s Rugby Circuit title, going into the Prinsloo 7s next week. Kabras Sugar is close behind with 88 points, while KCB Rugby sits third with 86 points. Quins have consistently reached the semi-finals or better in every leg this season, making them the team to beat.
Division Two and Grassroots Development
NYS 7s emerged victorious in Division Two, securing Kes 50,000, as the tournament showcased both elite and grassroots rugby talent across 16 teams in Division One and 20 teams in Division Two.
His Excellency Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir, Governor of Mombasa, praised the Mombasa Sports Club for fostering rugby and sportsmanship in the region. “We are proud to host the Driftwood 7s, which promotes tourism, competition, and unity among our youth,” he stated.
SportPesa’s Commitment to Rugby
SportPesa’s representative, Mercy Kabui, reiterated the company’s dedication to supporting rugby in Kenya. “Driftwood 7s continues to provide a platform for Kenya Rugby Union to discover new talent and engage fans,” she said. Kabui also highlighted the upcoming Prinsloo 7s and Safari 7s as key events on the rugby calendar.
The Driftwood 7s tournament marked the start of the “Tujiamini Initiative” powered by SportPesa, aimed at developing sports talent in the Coastal region, further strengthening grassroots and community involvement in Kenyan rugby.
With their latest triumph, Kenya Harlequins head into the Prinsloo 7s brimming with confidence, poised to continue their march towards the SportPesa 7s overall title. The next leg of the circuit is scheduled for September 14-15 in Nakuru.
