Butula Boys Senior School are the new KCB Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Rugby Sevens champions after dismantling Cardinal Otunga Senior School, Mosocho 26-0 in the final played at the MPesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kiambu County.
The Busia County side reclaimed the title they last won in 2013 with a commanding display on both sides of the ball.
Butula made the perfect start as Arthur Amimo crossed for the opening try, with Robert Carlos adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Alex Okoth added the second try before Carlos once again converted to hand Butula a comfortable 14-0 advantage at half-time.
The champions maintained the pressure after the break, with Timonah Elia touching down for the third try, converted by Amimo, before Charles Ochieng sealed the emphatic victory with an unconverted try.
Butula had booked their place in the final after staging a remarkable comeback from 12-0 down to edge Friends School Bokoli 14-13 in the semi-finals, while Cardinal Otunga defeated Upper Hill School 10-5.
Butula coach Bonfontra Alumasa credited thorough preparation for the triumph. “We came here prepared to reclaim our lost glory. We studied Cardinal Otunga and exposed their weaknesses. I’m a happy man,” said Alumasa.
Cardinal Otunga coach Edwin Metobo attributed the defeat to injuries but praised his players’ effort. “We lost three key players to injury, but I’m proud of the boys. Even though we failed to lift the title, we played our hearts out,” he said.
Western Region champions Friends School Bokoli secured the bronze medal after defeating Upper Hill School 26-15. In the girls’ competition, Central Region giants Kinale Girls continued their dominance by becoming the first school to win both the Rugby 15s and Sevens titles in the same season.
Kinale defeated Kimobo 19-7 in the final, adding the Sevens crown to the 15s title they won during the Term One regional championships in Kisumu. Kimobo struck first through Josephine Chelimo, with Sheila Kimutai converting for a 7-0 lead. Kinale responded immediately as Joyce Waithera crossed over before Daisy Valarie converted to level the scores.
Sheldon Njeri then scored another converted try, with Valarie adding the extras, before Valarie herself dotted down to put the result beyond doubt.
Kinale’s Margaret Gathoni, popularly known as “Mzito”, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Kinale reached the final after edging Mbakalo 12-10 in the semi-finals, while Kimobo beat St Teresa’s Ikutha 17-5.
Meanwhile, Ikutha Girls and Agoro Sare were crowned the inaugural basketball 3x3 champions. Ikutha defeated Cheptil Girls 11-4 in the girls’ final after overcoming St Joseph’s Girls Kitale 16-12 in the semi-finals.
Cheptil had reached the final by upsetting Nairobi’s Olympic High School 14-9. In the boys’ final, Agoro Sare edged St Mary’s School Yala 15-13 in a thrilling all-Nyanza affair. Agoro Sare had beaten Kaya Tiwi 21-15 in the semi-finals, while St Mary’s Yala narrowly saw off St Peter’s Mumias 10-9.
