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The George Mwangi Kabeberi Memorial Sevens 2009 A preview

By: Maik Kwambo
                           
The stage is set for the 2009 George Mwangi Kabeberi Memorial Sevens, the fourth leg of the 2009 Western Union National Sevens Circuit. The previous three legs have seen three different teams emerge as winners and as the NSC approaches its business end, the results from this weekend's tournament will play heavily on the circuit standings.

Here is a sneak peek at the four pools that make up the Kabeberi Sevens
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Pool A
Strathmore Leos are the tournament top seeds and head this pool. They have steadily worked their way up the standings by virtue of two semi final appearances at the Dala and Christies before going on to claim the 30 points that were on offer to the Prinsloo Sevens winners, something that now sees them placed third overall on the NSC with 66 points, eight behind circuit leaders Kenya Harlequin FC. They face opposition from fellow students University of Nairobi's Mean Machine and Kenyatta University's Blak Blad. Homeboyz are the other team in the pool and will be out to prove that they are no pushovers by playing their hearts out as well.
The Leos should however top the the pool with Mean Machine joining them in the main cup quarter finals on Sunday.
 

Pool B
Tournament second seeds Kenya Harlequin FC lead the log with 74 points courtesy of two final appearances at the Dala and Prinsloo legs of the NSC and that Christie Sevens title on Sunday 22 November 2009. With their blend of youth and experience, they will definitely be out to consolidate their lead with victory at the Kabeberi Sevens. Hosts Mwamba RFC are on paper Quins' biggest threat in this pool. I tip this pair to make it through to the main cup last eight. Mombasa Polytechnic and Kenya Polytechnic round up this pool. 

Pool C
Kenya Commercial Bank RFC are seeded third overall at the Kabeberi and headline pool C where they play alongside Masinde Muliro,USIU and Kisumu.
The bankers who are placed fourth overall on the NSC log with 52 points have been to one quarter final and two semi finals. They have tended to have a great opening day before wilting away on day two when results are most needed. Will they rise to the occasion this weekend ?
Kakamega based Masinde Muliro have been a revelation of sorts, making the main cup quarter final and playing the plate final at all three legs of the NSC to date. These two sides should be in the main cup quarters on Sunday.  The match between Kisumu and Masinde Muliro will be interesting due to the healthy rivalry between these two Western Kenya sides that are only fifty kilometers apart. USIU rounds up this pool.

Pool D-
Nakuru RFC lie second on the NSC log with 70 points, four adrift of leaders Quins and four ahead of third placed Strathmore. The Wanyore won the opening leg at Dala, losing at the Christies final before bowing out at the semi final stage of their home event, the Prinsloo Sevens. They will fight it out with Impala for the pool's top slot. These two sides will surely be in contention come Sunday, I just cannot figure out who will top the pool.
Nondescripts RUFC and Daystar University are the other sides in the pool.

Well, that's that. See you this weekend at the RFUEA on Ngong' Road.