Kabras Sugar produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat KCB 15-5 and claim the Driftwood Sevens title and close gap at the summit.
Kabras trailed 5-0 at the break after Festus Shiasi crossed for KCB just before half-time, with Brian Wahinya unable to add the conversion. But the Western Kenya side returned from the interval with renewed purpose, turning the final on its head through a Griffin Chao double either side of a Kelvin Wekesa try to complete a 15-5 victory.
The result handed Kabras their second title in four legs of the circuit and a measure of revenge over KCB, who had beaten them 19-12 in the Prinsloo final in Nakuru at the season-opening leg.
More importantly, Kabras’ victory tightened the competition at the top of the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, with defending champions KCB just two points clear as the season enters its final two legs.
KCB needed every ounce of their experience to survive a dramatic semi-final against Menengai Oilers.
Oilers looked on course for a place in the final after Beldad Ogeta’s unconverted try gave them a 5-0 lead deep into stoppage time. But just when Oilers appeared to have done enough, KCB found a way back, with Shiasi crossing to level the contest.
Emmanuel Opondo missed the conversion that would have won it in regulation time, sending the match into sudden death.
KCB seized possession from the restart and patiently worked their way upfield before Olympic Sevens star Vincent Onyala found the decisive opening, touching down to send the bankers into the final.
Kabras, meanwhile, enjoyed a more straightforward route to the decider, shutting out Daystar Falcons 19-0 in their semi-final.
The defeat took a lot out of Oilers, who were overwhelmed 21-5 by Daystar Falcons in the third-place playoff.
Kabras received a Sh150,000 winners’ cheque, while KCB pocketed Sh75,000 as runners-up and Daystar Falcons took Sh40,000 for finishing third.
The tournament also marked the return of Uganda Emerging 7s to the Driftwood 7s after a 13-year absence.
The visitors finished fifth after fighting back to beat Nondescripts 19-14, with Malcolm Okello accounting for all of Uganda’s points.
“Every leg gets harder to call, and that’s the whole point. Driftwood 7s has delivered another proof that this circuit has teeth and every team is here to compete,” said SportPesa Head of Partnerships and Sponsorships Japheth Akhulia.
“We are glad to keep expanding the opportunity for our local clubs, but also international ones. Uganda showed up and competed, which tells you the region is paying attention.”
The circuit takes a one-weekend break before heading to Central Kenya for the Embu 7s, the penultimate leg, on September 5-6.
The Christie 7s will bring the season to a close on September 12-13 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
