Easter weekend is here, and as rugby fans have faithfully done for the past twenty four years, they will again make the pilgrimage to Nax vegas. This year to witness the Silver Jubilee edition of the Great Rift Ten a side.
In action, will be a total of 32 sides, 24 of those battling for the main title, the other eight in contention for the Division II title. The 24 are led by defending champions KCB in Pool A, they are joined by Egerton, Comras and Bungoma.
KCB picked up their first title after beating Machine 10-0 in last year’s final, they will be one of the favourites to pick up the title on Sunday evening. This Pool should be a straight forward one for the Lions.
Though this edition comes just before the BRSS, you can bet that the top sides will not pass up the opportunity to claim the 10’s title and the bragging rights it comes with.
Pool B is headlined by last year’s losing finalists, Mean Machine, they will be facing Mwamba, Multimedia and KCA. This one looks like a potentially tricky one, keeping in mind that all the 24 sides will be ranked at the end of Day one action with the top eight proceeding to the cup competition.
Pool C sees Homeboyz pitted against Western Bulls, Masaku and the University of Eldoret. The battle is set to be between the Djs and the Bulls in this one though Masaku can spring up a surprise or two.
Pool D is headlined by the Impala Saracens who are joined by the Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar and Moi University. Impala, seven time Nakuru champions and semi finalists last year will face stiff competition from Strathmore Leos. The Leos have won, jointly or otherwise, the last four out of five editions. After a shocker last year they will definitely be up for it this year.
Pool E sees last year’s Plate Winners Quins battle it out against Eldoret RFC, Catholic Monks and the Stormers. Quins will be favourites to progress from this pool, the quartered shirts last picked up the great rift title in 2003. Eldoret and the Monks will have the potential to tilt the odds here.
Hosts Nakuru should have a straight forward run in Pool F, where they are joined by Blak Blad, TUK and Thika RFC. The Wanyore last picked up the title jointly with Strathmore in 2011, before that they last tasted it in 1995. They will be looking to give their dedicated home crowd the perfect Easter gift with the main cup.
As mentioned earlier the sides will be ranked in terms of log points gathered and points aggregate, with the top eight proceeding to the cup competition. The middle eight (9-16) going to the bowl and the last eight dropping to the Shield competition.
Thus expect sides to go for the jugular in each game, as they look to pile up the points. This will just mean more high octane action for us the fans…
The second division will see the following the sides do battle :
Pool A
Nakuru II, Molo, Chipu, Mumias
Pool B
Kisumu, Brumbies, Kisii, KEMU
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!