High School Rugby Drama: Patch & Upper Hill Set for Epic Nairobi Finals
Thursday, March 13th mtaa ya Eastlands ilikuwa imewaka, na kama hukuwa Ofafa Jericho High School, ulikuwa umetema burudani safi. This was the Nairobi region semifinal showdown for the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) rugby 15s.
My gig? Collect stats for Tisini. My partner-in-crime? Atieno, the baddest rugby girl I know, like a pro. She’s played for the lioness. Back-to-back champions in Cape Town. That reminds me, shout out to the Kenya 7s ladies. Taking out teams on their way, earning a shot at the HSBC SVNS promotion playoffs in Los Angeles.
The battlefield was set. Patch vs. Lenana. Upper Hill vs. Dago. The stakes? A golden ticket to the KSSSA National Term One Games kule Mombasa.
Before the main event, nilikuwa na deni., as an Old Cambrian myself, I had to break down the numbers for my boys from Patch, fresh off a ruthless 43-0 quarterfinal mauling of Strathmore. I noted that hawa wasee ni territorial—they dominate the opposition's half, forcing errors, winning penalties, and feasting on turnovers at the breakdown.
And when they need to reset? Boom! Kick game yao ni science—weka ball juu, transfer ugomvi kwa hewa, wacha opponent ajichanganye. Time for the semifinal.
Patch vs. Lenana: The Arch-Rivalry Unfolds
Lenana came in chest out, shoulders high, reigning Nairobi region champions, and they struck first. Sam Wekesa bulldozed over the line, slotting in a converted try. A 7-0 gut punch to Patch. But if you know these boys, you know they don’t go down easy. Enter Jeff Mutegi dashing past defenders to land a crucial try. Unconverted, but the statement was made. Half-time: 7-5 to Lenana.
Lakini second half ilikuwa ni movie. Nairobi School turned the heat up, and the Lenana boys felt it. Banice Mayabi, beast mode activated, akapiga converted try. Boom! 12-7. Hapo Lenana walianza kusikia moto. Then came Emmanuel Cichiri, sealing the deal with another converted try. 19-7. Lenana, out of gas, out of options, waved the white flag. Their arch-rivals wiped their faces dry and marched on.
Upper Hill vs. Dagoretti
Next up, Upper Hill vs. Dagoretti. Ditchez, 2019 East Africa silver medalists, had edged out hosts Ofafa Jericho 19-7 in the quarters. But this? This was Upper Hill’s day to feast.
The game started cagey, a slow grind. But when Upper Hill smelt blood, they pounced. 19-3 was the final score, and just like that, the Nairobi region finals were set—Nairobi School vs. Upper Hill. Two heavyweights. Two giants. The final dance set for Saturday.
After dust settled, zakulipuka zikalipuka. Wasee winners walikuwa wanajua Mombasa ni next destination, April 7-12 kule Shanzu na Shimo La Tewa. Tukadecide kuskwale.
The Weekend Ahead
Stats collected. Day done. Atieno and I dipped to town on Kenya’s No.1 matatu—Opposite.
The loud crunk music took over, but my mind drifted to the weekend ahead.
Enterprise Cup. Mwamba Cup. The semis loading. In Kakamega, Kabras RFC will lock horns with KCB at the ASK Showground. Meanwhile, in Nakuru, Menengai Oilers will trade blows with Nondescripts at the ASK Showground.
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Feature Image Credit: Fanaka Studios
