Kisii School ready to upset rugby 15s form book at nationals

They edged former multiple national champions Saint Mary's Yala 8-5 in the regional final to retain their title, and now they are seeking to return the national glory to Nyanza region.

Four-time champions St. Mary’s Yala are the last team from Nyanza to win the national rugby 15s title when they lifted the crown in 2004.

Speaking on Friday after their final training session before travelling for the national fiesta set for next week, head coach Lee Aston said he was heading to Machakos with a lot of hopes his charges would upset the form book.

“The morale is high, everyone is fit and ready for the national championship. We’ve focused much on defence and I’m hopeful we will do well this year.

“I know the challenge that lies ahead and I know we’re going to face familiar faces. I promise we will focus on one game at a time and ease any pressure.”

Kisii School are in tricky Pool ‘A’ alongside reigning champions Butula Boys, last year’s runners up All Saints Embu and St. Patrick’s Iten.

The other group has Mang’u High School, Kitondo School, Lenana School and Marafa School.

“In rugby, there is no pool of death, it is one game at a time and that is what we will do,” added Aston, who is also the Kisii RFC head coach.

On his part, assistant coach Melvin Lumiti said the boys have had enough build up matches and they are ready for the task ahead.

“The boys are well prepared and we are going to pick it up from where we left it last year and we expect good results.”

Captain Charles Obiero said they have had good preparations adding that they have invested well in defence.

“Our hopes are high, we are going there to fight and hopefully qualify for the East Africa games.”

The inter-schools competition is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday at Machakos School and will feature rugby 15s, handball, hockey, basketball, swimming and athletics.