Former Prime minister Raila Amolo Odinga presenting the Dala 7s trophy to Main Cup champions Homeboyz. PHOTO/KRU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16- Homeboyz RFC will only need to reach the Bowl semi-finals at this weekend’s Christie Sevens to be crowned the 2016 National Sevens Circuit champions, which will be their first ever.
The Deejays have played in all five Main Cup finals, a feat that no team has ever achieved in the 17 years of the National Sevens Series’ existence.
They have won three of the five finals they have played in, Prinsloo, Dala and last weekend’s inaugural Nanyuki 7s, and are on the verge of a fourth win if they manage to wade off the challenge to get off the groups at the RFUEA Grounds.
Homeboyz are top seeds for the Christie Sevens, headlining Pool A which has defending champions Nakuru RFC, Kenyatta University’s Blackblad and Stormers in a group that looks relatively easy on paper.
Kenya Sevens stars Oscar Ayodi and Tony Owuor will be missing for the Deejays, but they will be boosted with the availability of Augustine Lugonzo who will be making his first appearance this season while Jeff Oluoch returns after missing the Dala and Nanyuki legs.
Second placed Kenya Harlequin who are the tournament hosts in Christie, are in Group D alongside perennial rivals Mwamba RFC, University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine and Daystar University who were crowned Division II champions during the Nanyuki Sevens.
Quins who are 18 points behind leaders Homeboyz will be boosted with the inclusion of Kenya Sevens top players Willy Ambaka while Frank Wanyama also returns to the team after missing the Nanyuki leg with personal commitment.
They will hope to add on a second season title having won the Driftwood leg in Mombasa with a conquest over series leaders Homeboyz.
Meanwhile, KCB RFC who reached the Main Cup final for the first time this season much thanks to the return of Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde, will seek to go one better and go on to win the Cup.
The side will make only two changes from their squad that lost 10-0 to Homeboyz in the Nanyuki final, Ken Moseti and Martin Owila being rested for Arthur Ochieng and youngster Isaac Njoroge.
The Bankers are in Group B alongside Kabras Sugar, Catholic Monks and Invitational side Uganda Kobs.
At the same, Billy ‘The kid’ Odhiambo is set to make his debut for new club Mwamba RFC this weekend after signing for Kulabu from Strathmore Leos.
Mwamba had their best performance this season when they finished fourth in Nanyuki and apart from Odhiambo, they have also received a shot in the arm with the availability of Dennis Ombachi.
Christie Sevens pools
Pool A: Homeboyz, Nakuru, Blakblad, Stormers
Pool B: KCB, Kabras, Catholic Monks, Kobs
Pool C: Impala, Strathmore, Oilers, Nondies
Pool D: Mwamba, Quins, Machine, Daystar
