A Christie 7s Recap: A Spectacular Experience of Rugby, Surprises, and Celebration

The weekend of the Christie 7s was like a rugby fan’s dream as different collectives came together to blend into the harmony of the sevens rugby circuit. Rugby fans, new and old fans, flocked together to watch the events unfold. 

Mercifully, the sun blazed for almost the entire tournament, and the rain came in to cool the heat of the final game between KCB and Oilers, which resulted in a brutal 17-5 score in favour of the Bankers.

All the teams present put up a good fight, and some matches turned into shockers. I didn't expect the Zetech Oaks to beat the Strathmore Leos, but they did, with a final score of 19-17.

Indeed, it was quite the unpredictable tourney. Kabras, whom I expected to make it to the quarter-finals at least, did not make it. I suspect they will go back to the drawing board and restrategise, especially due to the dismal performance of their star player, Jonathan Kubu, who got more yellow cards than anyone else at the tournament combined. 

Kabras Kubu was well beaten

Their number 9, Roy Maruti, still managed to appear on the list of top try scorers, so Kabras still have much hope in the remainder of the circuit. 

Kenya Harlequins also fought brilliantly, and their home-ground advantage was clear as they expertly manoeuvred the pitch to secure crucial plays and fantastic tries.

I'd especially like to recognise the efforts of one of the latest additions to the squad, number 5, Michael Ochieng. The new signing made an immediate impact, contributing two tries and a try assist throughout their games. His efforts were especially critical in the 24-22 loss to Strathmore Leos, where one of his tries helped Quins advance to the quarterfinals. His defensive focus was also a key asset, particularly in the game against Impala.

It seems that Quins have a strategy, and I am quite eager to see how it plays out in the remainder of the circuit. 

Impala also packed a punch, as they had some clutch victories, mostly due to their sharp and lethal try scorers, Quinto Ongo, 11, and Matoka, 15, who buoyed Impala's efforts in difficult matchups. 

The Ngong roadside showed resilience and proved to be rough and tough as they bullied their opponents and scored a try. 

Varsity Sides Impress at Christie's

The Strathmore Leos star, Stanislaus Shikoli, was quite key in the playmaking and worked hand in hand with Victor (Molar) Odhiambo to put together a fighting chance for the Leos. Gabriel Ayimba had a stellar performance during this tournament and was key to almost all the Leos' victories, along with Nygel Amaitsa, whose kicking game was elite.

Leos have work to do if they want to grab the victory at Embu, but so far, they've proved to be a lethal contender. 

Victor Odhiambo in Action

Another Varsity side, Daystar Falcons, outdid themselves considering how tough their matchups were. Head Coach Bosire has been cooking with his squad, as we saw Ogonda, number 22, and Amukwachi, 19, wreak havoc on their opponents.

Eddie Wambugu, 21, was a key playmaker, setting up several beautiful tries. Chris Obuya also had a standout performance, scoring a couple of tries himself. Falcons' 17-12 win over Kabras was a testament to how well the team has gelled, as they held their own even without star player Patrick Odongo. Any serious rugby team should be wary of this squad.

Zetech Oaks honestly surprised me, considering they were the tournament's underdogs and pulled off some surprising wins against titans like The Leos. Whatever their coach is feeding them, it's working. 

They proved to be a thorn in almost every match they played, and they are proving that they've earned the right to play with the big boys. I can't wait to see how they perform in the Embu 7s. The women's teams were not left behind in the flurry, as we saw.

Mwamba Vs Quins Ladies' Sides Dominance

The Kenya Harlequins women's team, whose Maxine Abuga dealt damage to any team they faced, cemented the dominance of the Quins at Christies. Mwamba’s squad packed a punch as Faith Livoi mercilessly pummeled her way to try repeatedly in their game against the Northern Suburbs. It was a brutal show of power. 

The showdown between these two titans was one for the books as Mwamba showed Quins who's the better team as they beat them 14-5. A scintillating match indeed. 

Mwamba Ladies at Christie’s

But the experience wasn't just about the rugby. As the final whistle blew, the venue transformed into a festival. Cheerleaders and a performance by Toxic Lyrikali kept the energy high, while food vendors and Tusker's overflowing drinks kept the good vibes flowing. For any rugby fan, this wasn't just a tournament—it was an unforgettable celebration of the game.

Images Used Credit: Fanaka Studios