The fourth leg of the 2022 National sevens circuit, the Dala sevens, is set for this weekend at the freshly refurbished Jommo Kenyatta international stadium, Kisumu. This is where the big boys come out play!
Want a quick recap of the series so far? Click Here –The National Sevens Series 2022
Dala will be the first of a three weekend marathon, where teams will play the Prinsloo and Kakamega sevens in quick succession, expect the teams to want to start this marathon on the right footing. Heading to Kisumu, there is a 10 point gap between first placed KCB and fourth placed Mwamba, expect the big boys to come out and play!
Pool A
Driftwood 7s champions Mwamba RFC headline Pool A, where they’ll be squaring it out against Nondies, Nakuru and hosts Kisumu RFC. A pretty straight forward pool for Kulabu, the only battle should be that of second place between Nondies who finally qualified for a place in the Cup quarter final in Mombasa and Nakuru who will be looking to get some consistency going after a see-saw of a start in the first 3 legs.
If Mwamba are to go on and win the overall series title then they will need to go for maximum points at the remaining tournaments and hope that the teams ahead slip up at some point, but first, get those maximum points on offer, 66.
Pool B
Driftwood 7s finalists Menengai Oilers will have Kabras, Daystar and MMUST for company in a tricky Pool B. The Oilers will be out to put away the dissapointment of not lifting the cup title in Mombasa and their quest couldn’t have had a tougher start.
In Kabras and MMUST, Oilers will have two hard hitting ‘home’ sides who will be out to prove a point in front of their adoring fans. Kabras have made the cup quarter finals in the last two tournaments but have failed to make it past that stage on both occassions, they’ll be out to break thats ceiling. MMUST, who did not make the trip to Mombasa will definitely be out to disrupt the party, especially for Kabras.
In Daystar these three sides have the surprise package of the series so far, the Falcons have been punching above their weight this far and don’t expect them to stop in Kisumu.
Pool C
Current series leaders, KCB will start their Dala charge from Pool C, in the company of second placed Strathmore, Impala and Blak Blad. KCB and Strathmore have faced each other in every tournament this far, this meet at Dala will be the ‘least significant’ so far, as the two are definite bets to make it out of this pool.
The two favourites to this year’s series title will be out to make up for a dissapointing tour to the coast, especially for Strathmore who finished in 6th, after being knocked out of the cup competition by KCB. The Leos can’t afford another slip up of such proportions if they are to keep their series ambitions alive.
Pool D
Homeboyz, who sit 5th on the series log on 38 points will headline Pool D, where they are pitted against Quins, Catholic Monks and Zetech Oaks. Another straight forward pool for the top two sides, who should easily qualify for the Cup competition.
Watch out for the young Quins side who have been steadily growing in the last two tournaments and beat Strathmore in the 5th place final at Driftwood. The match up between Zetech and CUEA also promises to be an entertaining watch.
From finishing fourth at the Christie sevens, the Western Bulls will have to battle it out in the second division against the likes of AP, Makueni and Jumia Pay Pirates for promotion to the first division at Prinsloo.
Off the pitch, I don’t think I need to remind you that this is Kisumu, it is where the big boys come to play! See you all in Yurop!
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
