Kakamega High reclaim EA rugby 15s title

Stanley Mativo in Arusha, Tanzania

Kakamega High School reclaimed the East Africa rugby 15s on Friday after completing an impeccable campaign in which they finished top of the round-robin tournament in Arusha, Tanzania.

The 14-time national champions popularly known as Barbarians, swept all the possible 30 points after winning all their six matches on their way to win a record-extending regional seventh title.

Kakamega beat Okeeswa of Tanzania 56-15 in the final match to confirm their victory and en route to reclaiming their 2016 title, the western based rugby powerhouse swatted fellow countrymen Kangaru 46-0, Dagoretti 32-5, Ugandans Namilyango 24-11, Kisubi 43-6 and  Ntare 60-0.

The title has eluded the Amos Wamanga coached side in the last three years finishing runners up behind new sevens champions Upper Hill who switched from 15s after losing to East Africa new comers Dagoretti in the Nairobi region finals in March.

Speaking after the regional triumph, Wamanga praised his charges for the feat adding that his target is to dominate again.

“After missing this title for the last three years we changed our strategy which I believe has propelled us to the glory. Next year we will host this championship in Kakamega and expect us to dominate again,” he charged.

At the same time, Dagoretti’s mesmeric run catapulted them to the runners up position in their first time at the East Africa Games.

The Nairobi champions defeated Uganda champions Namilyongo 25-11 in their final match to finish behind Kakamega. Other Kenyan team Kangaru finished fourth.

Meanwhile, Upper Hill clinched their maiden regional sevens title on Wednesday after finishing top of the sevens tournament played also in a round-robin format.

By virtue of being the defending champions, Kenya will be represented by three teams in rugby sevens and 15s at the 2020 East Africa Games to be held in Kakamega, Kenya.