How rugby made a comeback in Nakuru this year
Fans fill up Nakuru Athletics Club to watch the Prinsloo sevens tournament on August 5, 2023.
Rugby has been a great deal in Nakuru for years now. The thrill it brings along is complimented by thousands of people across the country traveling to Nakuru to enjoy a weekend of great sportsmanship and blissful entertainment which stands unmatched by any sport played here.
This year, the bouncing back of Great 10 aside brought jitters to the rugby fraternity. Teams were out to defend their titles while others came on a hunt for a new title. Fans could not miss out on this after the tournament had a three-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Taking the center stage in rugby tournaments held in Nakuru this year, the Great 10 aside was exceptional. The tournament acted as a hybrid tournament hosting both the 10 aside matches and Currie Cup match between Kenya and Zimbabwe where Kenya Simba thrashed Zimbabwe Goshawks 48 -7 showcasing their might on the chilly Saturday afternoon.
Members of Kenya Simbas team during training at the Nakuru Athletics Club.
2019 champions, Menengai Oilers, were a no show to defend their title at this year’s 10 aside. They out ran Homeboyz to register a 10-5 win before the tournament took a three years break.
Oilers head coach Gibson Weru noted that the change of tournament dates from the initial April 29-30 to May 20-21 saw them miss out on the tournament.
This saw Nakuru RFC battle it out with KCB in the highly competitive finals where KCB were crowned the 2023 Great 10 aside champion after an outstanding 24- 12 win in favor of the bankers.
Other than the Bankers clinching the tournament win after a decade of being in the cold, celebrations went on after their own Isaac Njoroge, was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP), an award which was given to honour the late Nakuru RFC chairman Daniel Mwangi. He also pocketed Sh 50,000 cash prize from the title.
On the National 7s circuit side, Menengai oilers who were defending their 113-point win from the previous season, finished fourth in this year’s season. Oilers closed the season at 88 points behind Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar and 2023 reigning champions KCB.
Kabras celebrate after being awarded winners of Prinsloo sevens tournament at Nakuru Athletics Club on August 6, 2023.
Nakuru RFC on the other end finished seventh in this year’s 7s championship.
In their home organized tournament, Nakuru RFC finished position eight at Prinsloo whereas defending champions Menengai Oilers finished fourth after losing the third-place playoffs to KCB who had a 22-12 win. Kabras won the 2023 Prinsloo 7s title after beating Kenya Harlequins 10- 5 to register their triumph.
During the awarding ceremony, young star James Macharia, received the newly introduced most promising player trophy, an award introduced to honor the late Justin Migiro alias Tyson who was a great Nakuru RFC fan.
Remembered by many as the greatest cheer leader Nakuru has had, the heavily built man paced up and down in the field with loud cheers, leading other fans in chanting the Wanyore (Nakuru RFC) anthem. He was never one to be found seated on the terrace as the match was still on. The club introduced the Most promising player award to honor their fallen hero and keep his memory on.
Other than a fairly good performance by Nakuru teams on the concluded national 7s circuit, they seem to be having a good start with the new Kenya Cup season. Menengai oilers has had a clean record of unbeaten matches in the three matches played so far.
Nakuru RFC on the other hand have registered a win, loss and draw in the three matches played.
Both teams have also contributed players to the national team with Nakuru RFC having Christan Ojwang’ and Menengai oilers having John Okoth, Beldad Ogeta, Ibrahim Ayoo, Denis Abukuse, Elkeans Musonye and Brian Ndirangu.
A key highlight for Nakuru players is that Beldad Ogeta is among the top try scorers on the new Kenya cup Season.
The season resumes on January 13, 2024 with a good spectacle of rugby excellence expected at the Nakuru Derby.