Amonde said the youngsters played their hearts out and filled in well for several key members of the team who are training with the national team in readiness for the Paris Olympics qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe.

“The caliber of the players we have missed today showed a lot in how we have played. We have missed them a lot…that’s a fact, we knew we were going to miss them but it has also been an opportunity for these young ones who have played out their hearts today. Some of them had not even gotten an opportunity to play. I think it’s a plus for us because we now have younger players who have come in and played well. So, I think it’s now a matter of growth and giving everyone the opportunity to play,” the former national sevens team captain said.

The bankers were missing the services of captain Vincent Onyala, Austine Shkutwa, Festus Shiasi, Samuel Asati and Elvis Olukusi all of who are on national duty with Shujaa.

Their absence was felt as KCB failed to reach the last four for the first time in this year’s National Sevens Circuit, losing 10-5 to defending champions Menengai Oilers in the quarters.

KCB did console themselves with a fifth-place finish after a 21-14 win over current NSC leaders Kabras Sugar RFC in the fifth-place playoff final – an unfamiliar territory for the two giants.

Nonetheless, Amonde was delighted with their finish.

“It’s very unfortunate that we failed to make it to the main cup final but the good thing is that they made it to another final. It is just a matter of building their confidence as we head to the next tournament so they can build on what we have achieved today,” he said.

KCB lie second on the NSC log with 91 points, one behind Kabras, with next weekend’s Kabeberi Sevens expected to be full of fireworks as the curtains come down on this year’s edition.

With third-placed Strathmore Leos also in contention, Amonde insists they will have to work hard to upstage the sugar millers and clinch their fourth NSC title.

“It is a matter of doing our maths well and working very hard in every game we are going to play. The aim is to get to the final and get a good win just to be crowned the circuit champions,” the former KCB player said.

The Kabeberi Sevens – to be hosted by Mwamba RFC – will be held at the RFUEA Grounds.