What a year! The past 12 months have served us with some great moments, from the best of highs to the worst of lows. Moments that we will carry as memories for a long time to come.
At the centre of those moments have been some great players, who have made these memories. In this post I attempt to come up with the best XV side of the year 2014. Players who have in the last 52 weeks consistently stood out for their sides, whether locally or internationally.
Lets get into it :
1. Giles Littlewood (Nakuru RFC) : The stand out loose head prop for me in the past year, an absolute beast at scrum time. He was an integral part of the Nakuru side that completed the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup double. Mbao Ndogo then went on to represent the country in the Elgon cup.
2. Sammy Warui (Nakuru RFC) : Kenya’s Bismark du Plessis, operates like a back row, stable at the set piece, what else would you want from a hooker? Another integral part of the double winning Wanyore side. Sammy linked up with the Vodacom cup side in the latter stages of the competition. Others worth a mention in this position are Peter Karia of KCB and Salaton Muturi of Mwamba.
3. Curtis Lilako (KCB RFC) : A mainstay of the national squad this year, representing the country in the Vodacom cup and the World cup qualifiers. Though he played second fiddle to the Kangethes, his local form can not be questioned. Curtlow has been a consistent stand out figure in the KCB side this year, not only for his skill at the scrum but also his ball carrying prowess.
4. Oliver Mang’eni (KCB RFC): Not since Anthony Ogot, have we seen a more imposing figure at the line out. Olishe has risen to become an integral part of not only his club but the national side. His ball carrying is also not to be ignored. It has been a great year for the big black forward, having carried forward his form into the sevens, winning the series with KCB and turning up for the Kenya sevens.
5. Philip Kwame (Nakuru RFC) : The enforcer, Kwame has been a vital part in Nakuru’s double winning side. Winning the Elgon Cup with the ‘A’ side later in the year, a deceptively fast runner with the work rate of a donkey on steroids. Also deployable in the back row, has had a stellar year, turning up for his Club in the sevens. Worth a mention here are Ronnie Mwenesi of Nondies, Brian Sagara of KCB and Wilson K’opondo of Quins.
6. Mike Okombe (Nakuru RFC) : Okombe is as rough and rugged as they come, with a knack for the dirty. This year Okombe has been in fine form, turning up for the Tusker Simba XVs in the Vodacom cup, then at the qualifiers. An all round back row who carries the pill just as well as he fetches for it and packs a crunching tackle. Adrian Opondo, Charles Omondi, some of the notable performers in the same position over the year.
7. Edwins Makori (Nakuru RFC) : If there is one player that truly owned 2014, then it is the Wanyore captain, Edwins Makori. Barely missed a minute of action, leading his side to that famous double. Madu was in the past year the heart beat of the Wanyore. Deployed at second row at times, with no blip in form. Going on to captain the Kenya ‘A’ side that claimed the Elgon cup. Player of 2014 in my book, by a mile.
8. Martin Owila (Nakuru RFC) : Kenya is blessed immensely when it comes to the number 8 shirt, looking at the past year though the position has been struck by several injuries. Lawi Buyachi, Edwin Machanje and most recently Joshua Chisanga. Had they all been fit through the year, I’d have certainly scratched away a few dozen hair follicles.
Despite that, there is no denying that Martin Owilla has been more than stood up to be counted. From playing for Kisumu a year ago, to a Kenya cup and Enterprise cup double, national fifteens and sevens caps. Owilla has truly owned 2014.
9. Edwin Achayo (Kabras Sugar RFC) : Formerly with the Kenya Harlequins, Achi man has been the stand out scrum half in 2014. Some doubted his ability to fill in the massive boots left by the mercurial Peter Mutai in the national team, but he stood up and was counted. His reading of the game is to be admired, fluidity in play and his eye for the gap. His former club mate Lyle Asiligwa is also worth a mention here as is Felix Wanjala of KCB.
10. Ken Andola (Strathmore Leos) : Despite being only 24 years, Andola seems to have been around for forever. The Leos number 10 has had a great 12 months, vice captain of the Tusker Simba side to the Vodacom cup, was also a part of the side to the qualifiers. Your text book number ten, comes with a boot to match. Though Andola did not feature for the Leos in the latter stages of the 2013/14, he has was an integral part of the side.
11. Allan Omuka (KCB RFC) : He has had a career bogged by injury, always finding a way back to his best, every time. This year the Ogufwaf man has had a largely injury free season and has made the most out of it, only failing to cap it with a national call up, but you feel that its on the way. A powerful runner, in the Savea fold, he has been an integral part of the Lions side this year.
12. Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru RFC) : This was probably the toughest pick I had to make out of the fifteen, with Nick Barasa, Ken Moseti and Patrice Agunda all in the run. Kichwa though edges the two for his impact on the Nakuru side that lifted the double, big game player, a devastating runner with ball in hand. He was part of the Kenya ‘A’ side that lifted the Elgon cup. Lets hope they get him a number ’12’ shirt that fits him next year.
13. Fabian Olando (KCB RFC) : Probably the toughest position to play on a rugby pitch, but Rango has managed to make it look so easy, especially this year for both club and country. Part of the Simba side that played in the Vodacom cup and the Kenya ‘A’ side that lifted the Elgon Cup, Olando has had a super season, an explosive runner who is also slick with his feet and a rugby brain to complement.
14. Jacob Ojee (KCB RFC) : Mostly deployed at full back by his club, OJ can however fit anywhere in the back three. Ojee has had a super year not only in the fifteens but in the sevens too where he bagged the MVP and Top try scorer accolades for the second year running. As lethal with ball in hand as is without, capped the year with Kenya ‘A’ and Kenya sevens call ups.
15. Sammy Oliech (Impala RFC) : Whenever he has had the ball in hand this year, you knew something special was about to happen. Impala’s outstanding performer for the past 12 months, so much so that he is the only player in this 15 whose side did not make the Kenya cup play-offs. Oliech would easily walk into the starting XV of any club in the country. Your dream full back, safe under the high ball, with an eye for the gap and can as well create them and a boot to wrap it all up.
I’ll say this, if this is what coaches go through every other weekend to settle for a starting fifteen, then I’ll gladly stick to my keyboard and shouts. Lord knows how many times I have edited, deleted and flipped around this list.
Remembering a player who deserves a slot here, then looking at the list you have and you are like “So who do I drop here?” Look at these names that were left out Nato Simiyu, Lavin Asego, Dan Sikuta, Cyprian Kuto, Tony Owuor, Charles Omondi, Collins Injera…
A big thank you to all who helped me out, I am not looking forward to the next time I am to do this, that is for sure. A pretty solid side though, don’t you think? Would run past pretty much anyone.
Nakuru and KCB having been the dominant sides in the year take the chunk of the side, why don’t you give it a try and list your 2014 XV in the comments section. Who do you think should captain this side though?
With that A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, kumbuka mwaka si yako, ni yetu sote…
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
