Floodies Is Here

With the sevens season done and dusted, it finally is time to turn those floodlights on, and witness fifteens rugby.

The 33rd edition of the Impala Floodlit Tournament kicks off at the weekend, with some mouth watering fixtures lined up in the three categories, Schools, Varsities and Clubs.

Schools

2013 Schools champions Ofafa Jericho, will kick off their title defence against Moi Forces Academy, in the first quarter final at the Impala Club. Last years losing finalists will then play Lenana in the second quarter final.

Makini will take on Upper Hill in the first school’s quarter final to be played at the RFUEA. Recently crowned Prescott champions, Laiser Hill will begin their Floodies campaign against Mang’u in the second quarter final at the RFUEA.

Some very exciting match ups lined up here with traditional Floodlit giants Alliance and Lenana facing off, that one promises fireworks. Lenana were eliminated at this stage last year by eventual champions Ofafa and will be looking for redemption.

The new order in the form of Laiser Hill and Ofafa will be out to make strong starts here. Laiser taking on last year’s losing semi finalists Mang’u in another cracker as Ofafa look to dislodge MFA.

Ofafa Jericho v MFA – 1.15pm – Impala Club

Upper Hill v Makini – 1.00pm – RFUEA

Laiser Hill v Mang’u – 2.10pm – RFUEA

Alliance v Lenana -3.30pm – RFUEA

Universities

In the Varsities category, 2013 winners USIU will kick off this year’s campaign against TUK. With defending champions Blak Blad taking on the Daystar Falcons in the first match at the Impala Club.

MKU will take on Kenya Cup new comers, the Catholic Monks, as University of Nairobi take on the Technical University of Kenya, both matches will be played at the RFUEA.

The second quarter final will see Blak Blad take on the Daystar Falcons in the first match of the day at the Impala Club.

Defending champions should get a real run for their money in this category with the likes of the Monks, neighbours JKUAT and USIU all looking to grab that title off their grasp.

Blak Blad v Daystar – 10.00am – Impala Club

MKU v Catholic Monks – 10.00am – RFUEA

USIU v TUK – 11.30am – Impala Club

UoN v JKUAT – 11.30am – RFUEA

Clubs

In the Clubs category, back to back finalists Nondies will kick off their campaign against Floodies specialists Mean Machine in a repeat of the 2013 final and last year’s first semi final.

Last year Nondies humbled the Eschuma 30-0 before going on to lose 28-3 to KCB in the final. The white shirts who have had a strong run in this tournament in the last two editions will be looking to keep that momentum going.

Floodies specialists Mean Machine will be looking to avenge that beating they received last year, as well as the sudden death loss to the white shirts in the 2013 final. It will however be a tough task for the Eschuma.

Quins vs Mwamba

The second quarter final will see perennial rivals Quins and Mwamba lock horns. The two have not had memorable outings under floodlights in the recent past. Quins giving this tournament a bye last year with Mwamba bowing out at the quarter finals at the hands of Nondies.

These two have served up some memorable encounters over the years, the most recent encounters seeing Quins win 22-10 in last season’s Kenya Cup, Mwamba having won 25-19 in the previous season.

The weekend’s clash is set to be another blockbuster with both sides having their full compliment of players to pick from. A rare occurrence for the two who have over the years provided the backbone of the national sevens side.

Nakuru vs Homeboyz

The third quarter final will see back to back Kenya Cup champions Nakuru RFC taking on the Homeboyz. The two sides have had a short and uneventful history under the Impala floodlights.

Last year, both sides were knocked out at the quarter final stage, Homeboyz going down 41-19 to Impala with Nakuru battling to a 24-15 loss against Machine.

The Wanyore have been the dominant force in the longer version of the game and will be looking to finally carry on that form into the Floodies. They will know that most eyes will be on them as we kick off the new season, to see whether there will be any indications of faults in the Wanyore machine.

Homeboyz could have not asked for a tougher start, coming up against the side that humbled them 64-0 in last season’s Kenya Cup. The Djs have however been growing steadily since that fixture in the opening week of 2014, going on to finish in 5th spot. It will be a great platform for the side to test their exciting young charges as they prepare for the new season.

KCB vs Impala

The best was definitely saved for last in the club quarter finals, as hosts Impala take on defending champions KCB.

These two don’t know how to play out a dull encounter, they met in the semi finals last year with KCB beating their hosts 18-6 in a cracker of a match. Impala returned the favour in the Kenya cup, beating KCB 18-0 at the same venue. KCB would then have their revenge when the two sides met in the Enterprise Cup semi final, the Lions had to play into extra time for their 31-24 win.

With that see saw trend, the Impala faithful will be going into this one very hopeful. It again promises to be a battle in the forwards, an interesting one this will be. The red shirts have been under the tutelage of forwards specialist Eric Situma.

It promises to be a great battle across the field with both sides also packing an impressive punch in the backs, respectively.