It is all systems go for our annual exodus to the great rift, to witness the greatest tens rugby tournament south of the Sahara, North of the Limpopo. The Great Rift Ten A Side.
Last year’s edition was hailed as one of the best of recent times, from a drop goal contest to a cup final that went deep into extra time, not mentioning the action off the pitch was. Well brace yourselves, as all indications this year, point to an even better tourney!
The draw for the 26th edition of the tournament set for the weekend was released yesterday, setting up some mouth watering clashes. A total of 36 teams will be in action over the two days, in two divisions. 24 sides will battle it out for the main title, with the other 12 playing in Division 2.
Defending champions KCB lead the 24 sides and headline Pool A, the back to back winners at the rift are joined by one of last year’s Bowl semi finalists, Egerton. Shield winners Masaku and USIU.
Four time winners and last year’s runners up Strathmore headline Pool B, they are pitted with campus rivals the Catholic Monks and KCA. Kisumu round up the list in this pool.
The rest of the Pools are as follows :
Pool A: KCB, Egerton, Masaku, USIU
Pool B: Pan Africa Strathmore Leos, Catholic Monks, KCA, Kisumu
Pool C: Homeboyz, Mwamba, Eldoret, JKUAT
Pool D: Mean Machine, Kabras Sugar, Blak Blad, Kenya Sharks
Pool E: Top Fry Nakuru, Kenya Harlequin, Comras, UoE
Pool F: Western Bulls, Resolution Impala Saracens, Bungoma RFC, TUK
Pool D looks like it will be an interesting affair, with three Kenya cup sides and the 2015 Nationwide runners up battling it out for the quarter final slots. As usual the sides will be ranked at the end of Day 1 action with the top eight proceeding to the cup, the next eight to the Bowl and the bottom eight to the Shield.
Division 2 action will take place at the Nakuru Day grounds, with Daystar headlining the division, they are joined in Pool A by Mumias and KPA Eldoret.
Pool A: Daystar, Mumias, KPA Elodret
Pool B: Kabarak, Makueni, Kiambu
Pool C: MKU Thika, Kisii, KEMU Nairobi
Pool D: Brumbies, Moi University, Molo
The 12 sides will directly move to the semi final stage from the pool stages, the top sides from each pool playing the cup semi finals at the NAC. The second place finishers will battle it out for the plate, with the third placed teams playing in the Bowl. The bottom sides from each pool will play in the Shield.
I wont delve much into the action off the pitch, as it doesn’t need much introduction, now does it. All I will say is…Expect the Unexpected!
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KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
