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The race for the 2019 Stanbic Bank National Sevens Circuit overall title remains finely poised heading into the final round, the Driftwood Sevens at the Mombasa Sports Club on 7th and 8th September .

Three teams, KCB, Stanbic Mwamba and Top Fry Nakuru still in with a realistic chance of being crowned overall circuit champions.

The story so far

KCB have won three legs so far, claiming cup titles in Kakamega, Kisumu and this past weekend’s tournament in Nairobi. They are perched atop the standings with 94 points.

KCB’s Johnstone Olindi in action during their semifinal fixture against Stanbic Mwamba at the Kakamega Sevens on 21 July 2019 in Kakamega/Photo/Arigi Obiero

Stanbic Mwamba, winners of the other two legs in Meru and Nakuru are ten points adrift on 84 points while Top Fry Nakuru, losing cup finalists in Nairobi are a further point behind on 83 points.

Likely scenarios

KCB can secure the overall time for the first time since 2014 by reaching the cup semis in Mombasa.

That would give them an unassailable 109 points tally that would not be breached by either Mwamba or Nakuru in the event that they compete for the cup title.

Stanbic Mwamba’s Mike Okello competes for an aerial ball during the Kakamega Sevens in Kakamega on 21 July 2019/Photo/Arigi Obiero/ Ministry of Rugby

Mwamba and Nakuru can both win the overall crown by winning the Driftwood Sevens and counting on KCB to stumble in the fifth place semifinals ( assuming that they secure cup quarterfinal qualification at the close of day one). This scenario will see either Mwamba or Nakuru reach a total of 106 or 105 points respectively with KCB reaching 104 points.

Top Fry Nakuru’s Nelson Oyoo surges forward during the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru on 17th August 2019/Photo/Arigi Obiero/Ministry of Rugby

It will take a herculean effort for defending champions Menengai Cream Homeboyz to reclaim the overall title.

Sitting fourth on the standings with 77 points, they have to win the cup title in Mombasa while counting on the leading trio’s failure to reach the cup quarters. They still have to count on KCB failing to finish above 14th position in Mombasa.

These, however, are just some of the likely scenarios as teams, players,coaches and fansĀ  wait for the curtains to fall on what has been one of the most open circuits in recent times.

A recap of the winners at each of the five legs to date

Kakamega Sevens: KCB

Kabeberi Sevens: Stanbic Mwamba

Dala Sevens: KCB

Prinsloo Sevens: Stanbic Mwamba

Christie Sevens: KCB

 

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