East Africa Secondary Schools Rugby 7s champions Koyonzo High School are hoping to extend their unbeaten run this year to the national Prescott Cup later this month.
Head coach Eliud Okwemba said they have not lost any match this year and will be hoping to end the year on a high note. “We have had a good run in rugby Sevens this year and it will be important to end the year with the national Prescott Cup trophy. This will be our first time to play at the nationals and a win will propel the team to the highest rugby level,” said Okwemba.
At the Western Prescott finals, an unconverted try by Debril Joseph earned the national secondary schools rugby 7s champions a 5-0 win against their nemesis and national Prescott champions Vihiga High School at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) grounds.
The scores would have been higher were it not for Erick Simiyu, who missed the conversion with five penalties.
“The last time we competed in this tournament was in 2019 when we lost to Kakamega High School in the Western Region. This time, I believe we have what it takes to take home the title. Last year, we did not compete and Vihiga went ahead to win the national title,” he added.
This was the fifth time Koyonzo had beaten Vihiga in all competitions this year. They started with a 25-0 at the Yala Open in February and followed it up with a 22-10 win during the Western region school games at the Bullring.
At the nationals held at the same venue, Koyonzo beat Vihiga 17-12 and went ahead to win the East Africa title in Rwanda after beating them 21-0.
“Imagine coming all the way with victories in all these events and missing the last title of the year. It will not be good for us as a school having worked so hard,” added Okwemba.
In the semifinals, the champions defeated Kakamega School 24-0 while Vihiga beat Nambale High from Busia 36-0 to book their place in the final. Kakamega School thrashed Nambale 24-7 in the third position play-off.
