All set for 15s Rugby battle as KSSSA games draw is released
Hosts Coast region will have two teams in the mix: Marafa and Serani, both looking to make a statement on home soil
As the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) games near, the national draws for the 15s Rugby are out and schools are set to intensify preparations for an exciting show.
Western champions Vihiga High School, Nairobi champions Upper Hill Secondary School and Nyanza winners Kisii School are all lined up for what is expected to draw fireworks in the games scheduled for Mombasa County.
The traditional thrill associated with rugby is bound to be visible down Coast.
Pool A will see a fierce clash as hosts Marafa are joined by Western region giants Vihiga, Nyanza’s emerging force Kisii, and Rift Valley’s champions Bwake.
Pool B is equally stacked, with co-hosts Serani, Nairobi champions Upper Hill, Central’s flag bearers Mangu, and Eastern Region’s indomitable side All Saints.
In the regional highlights; Rift Valley, Bwake rose to the occasion with a gritty 10-5 win over St. Patrick’s Iten. Their physicality were on full display, earning them a well-deserved slot at the nationals.
Hosts Coast region will have two teams in the mix: Marafa and Serani, both looking to make a statement on home soil. Serani, in particular, will hope to ride on home support to make a deep run in the tournament.
All Saints once again proved their dominance in the Eastern Region. The defending champions stormed through their pool matches and capped off a flawless campaign with a commanding 56-0 demolition of Marsabit Mixed in the finals. Their consistency and ruthlessness make them serious contenders for the national crown.
Kisii booked their spot at the nationals in dramatic fashion, edging out the experienced St Mary’s Yala with a crucial penalty in the regional final — a match that underlined Kisii’s tactical discipline and composure under pressure.
Upper Hill, representing Nairobi, were imperious during the regional championship, heaving beaten Nairobi School 43-3. Known for their structured play and physical dominance, they are tipped by many as favourites, but they will face stiff competition from equally talented squads in Pool B.
However, all eyes will be on Embu’s All Saints who last year were dominant in local and regional games.
From the Central Region, Mangu overcame the competition to secure their place at the nationals and being runners-up last year, will have something to prove.
