Rugby in Kenya

• Dogged England keep on winning

  Posted: February 28, 2011, 11:21 pm by guestblogger

  Given the rugby World Cup is still seven months away the fact England haven’t quite reached their peak performance yet is reason for optimism.The added fact the side are still winning despite not hitting top gear has got supporters and players alike brimming with excitement and confidence.Saturday’s 17-9 win over France at Twickenham was workmanlike but effective and keeps Martin Johnson’s men on

• IRB 7's Adelaide : Kenya fancy their chances with familiar faces

  Posted: February 28, 2011, 11:06 pm by Back2Besics

  Kenya have been drawn against New Zealand All Blacks, world 7'schampions Wales and fast improving Cook Islands in Adelaide 7'sAustralia. If Kenya take their chances they should make the main cupquarter finals once again.Pool ANew ZealandWalesKenyaCook Islands

• Kenya Cup - Week 16

  Posted: February 28, 2011, 4:49 pm by DataMiner

  Finally over and the die is cast. Don't know if I can say it was a really competitive Kenya Cup with a runaway winner, head clear second, shoulders clear third, etc. but all teams I believe gave it their all, and hence it was worth it. Despite the gap in points, I do not think there was much difference technically between the sides and it will make next season very interesting. Some things

• Kenya Cup Results 26.2.11

  Posted: February 26, 2011, 12:44 am by Back2Besics

  Quins end season with no loss drawing with KCBImpala beat NakuruMwamba thump NondiesStrathmore send Machine further downQuins 19 KCB 19Impala 21 Nakuru 5Mwamba 24 Nondies 5Strathmore Leos 34 Mean Machine 24

• Moneyless Kenya Cup curtains close

  Posted: February 25, 2011, 1:14 am by The Real KRFU

  The Kenya Cup comes to a close and the one thing many rugby fans askis how come no sponsorship has been gotten for both Kenya Cup and theEric Shirley Shield.That the KRFU works hard or gets others to work hard for it to getsponsorship for some of its events but not its own league is a mysteryof all sorts.Safaricom, Kenya Airways and Bamburi are just niche sponsors yet themajority of players in

• Weekend Games

  Posted: February 25, 2011, 12:11 pm by DataMiner

  Dead rubber all the way as positions are basically decided. Once more the thriller will be the university's derby between Strathmore and Machine. Impala host Nakuru, Quins are at home to KCB and Mwamba will travel to Jamhuru Park to face Nondies.In the derby despite the feeling of loss and the game being in vain, Machine will put up a good fight. If they keep their composure and not try to

• Mean Machine relegated to ESS

  Posted: February 24, 2011, 9:53 am by Back2Besics

  The die is cast 'On Mean Machine I lay my trust, all other sides aresinking sands....'The dreaded moment never imagined never seen coming is here. Many apoet would struggle to put it into prose and the founders would lie inshock.Mean Machine Rugby ClUb founded 1977 champions 77, 90 and 91 has beenconfirmed relegated from the Kenya Cup for the first time ever. Theywill play in the second division

• Ferris misses out of Scotland game

  Posted: February 21, 2011, 4:21 pm by guestblogger

  Ireland's flanker Stephen Ferris has been handed a further blow in his bid to recover from his knee injury. The Ulsterman will undergo another scan on the problem but it looks as though Ferris could miss the rest of the tournament. The influential forward will definitely be out of the trip to Murrayfield as the Irish look to bounce back from a difficult start to this year's tournament. Declan

• Kenya Cup - Week 15

  Posted: February 21, 2011, 2:09 pm by DataMiner

  For me no surprises really, just that when people have their backs against the wall, they can get serious. No shuffling really of the order and with one weekend left to play, I don't see any changes occurring.Do have a good week.

• Kenya Cup Results 19.2.11

  Posted: February 19, 2011, 12:26 am by Back2Besics

  Machine lose battle to stay up with loss to NondiesReinforced Mwamba bounce back to beat StrathmoreKCB cement 2nd place with win over NakuruFatigued Quins in slim win over fading ImpalaNondies 19 Mean Machine 11Mwamba 26 Strathmore Leos 18KCB 22 Nakuru 15Quins 17 Impala 15Machine shall survive. Eschuma Absolut.

• Weekend Games

  Posted: February 18, 2011, 1:02 pm by DataMiner

  The winner of the Kenya Cup was decided last weekend so it's playing for 2nd best that remains. But the real battle is for who will remain in the Kenya Cup next season or not! Our top billing this weekend is thus the bottom of the table fixture between Mean Machine and Nondescripts at Jamhuri Park. In other games Mwamba host Strathmore, Impala host Harlequins and KCB travel to the Rift Valley

• IRB 7's Hong Kong : Kenya drawn with Fiji

  Posted: February 18, 2011, 11:22 am by Back2Besics

  Kenya in Pool D with Fiji, Russia and Malaysia.

• Winner takes all at Twickenham

  Posted: February 17, 2011, 10:54 pm by guestblogger

  France's Sebastien Chabal has admitted the match against England will decide the winners of this year's Six Nations tournament. Both sides will go into the match unbeaten but England are clearly the in-form side in the competition and will go into the game as clear favourites.Experienced back rower Chabal has come off the bench in France's opening two games so far and the former Sale Shark has

• Henry looks to prepare players for World Cup

  Posted: February 16, 2011, 11:14 pm by guestblogger

  New Zealand head coach Graham Henry is hoping to manage his resources as he looks to prepare his squad for the rugby World Cup later this year on home soil. Henry is hoping to manage how many games his players compete in, in the lead up to the tournament to ensure they are fully fit in time for their opening match on September 9th.Henry caused controversy in 2007 when he withdrew all of his squad

• Ashton the hero as England set up titanic clash with France

  Posted: February 14, 2011, 7:51 pm by guestblogger

  With perennial wooden-spooners Italy arriving at Twickenham on Saturday England knew only a convincing win would do. Certainly a victory in a better manner than their stumbling 17-12 win in Rome last year was the minimum target.Eight tries later and Johnson's men were celebrating a fine victory that puts them on course for the Grand Slam as well as setting up a huge clash with current Six Nations

• Where now for Ireland?

  Posted: February 14, 2011, 6:13 pm by guestblogger

  Before Ireland faced France in Dublin, the talk was of a possible Grand Slam decider, at the same venue, against England in the final round of matches. Optimism abounded despite an unconvincing last-gasp victory against Italy first up. Now the best that Ireland can hope for is surely the Triple Crown, and even that will take some doing.France were mediocre, even less convincing than in their

• Kenya Cup - Week 14b

  Posted: February 14, 2011, 12:57 pm by DataMiner

  Only one match played carried over from last weekend. Was not going to go any other way really and with that Kenya Harlequins attained an unassailable lead in the league. They already got their winners' medals and now we only await the runner's up. Congrats to Quins for a consistent sustained campaign.Kenya A also proved me wrong and were actually a joy to watch. Making up for their

• IRB 7's Las Vegas : Samoa 26 Kenya 17 in Plate Finale

  Posted: February 14, 2011, 6:07 am by Back2Besics

  Rough justice as Kenya narrowly lose to Samoa in Vegas Plate Finale as Adema denied try. Kenya collect 8 more points and move upto 9th in IRB table.Samoa 26 Kenya 17Go Kenya Go.South Africa beat Fiji 24-14 to win IRB Las Vegas 7's.

• IRB 7's Las Vegas : Kenya 24 Australia 21 Injera scores in stoppage time to put Kenya in Plate Finale

  Posted: February 14, 2011, 3:52 am by Back2Besics

  Collins Injera scores last second try as Kenya revenge Australia defeat. Ouma and Ashioya other scorers.Kenya 24 Australia 21Go Kenya Go

• IRB 7's Las Vegas : England 28 Kenya 14

  Posted: February 13, 2011, 10:31 am by Back2Besics

  Kenya lose to England but move to plate semisEngland 28 Kenya 14Go Kenya Go

• IRB 7's Las Vegas : Kenya 28 Uruguay 7

  Posted: February 13, 2011, 9:04 am by Back2Besics

  Kenya cruise to main cup quarterfinals with easy win over Uruguay.They now face current joint leaders England in the quarters.Kenya 28 Uruguay 7Go Kenya Go.

• IRB 7's : New Zealand 25 Kenya 10 Injera scores try number 100

  Posted: February 13, 2011, 8:52 am by Back2Besics

  A dodgy performance by referee Jeff Jaftha sees Kenya lose tounfortunately New Zealand All Blacks. Dubious try awarded to NewZealand and unlucky/unfair/unfortunate sin bin to Gibson Weru.Collins Injera scores milestone 100th IRB sevens try. Well done Collo.You make us proud.New Zealand 25 Kenya 10Go Kenya Go.

• IRB 7's Las Vegas : Kenya 19 Wales 12

  Posted: February 12, 2011, 12:51 am by Back2Besics

  Kenya start with win over world champions Wales as Injera strikes twiceKenya 19 Wales 12Go Kenya Go

• Kenya Cup and Kenya A results 12.1.11

  Posted: February 12, 2011, 12:47 am by Back2Besics

  Quins in easy win over Nakuru retain Kenya CupHomeboyz destined for Kenya Cup with ESS winKenya A comeback to beat visiting Warringah RatsQuins 36 Nakuru 0Homeboyz 25 Quins II 5Kenya A 32 Warringah Rats 22

• Timings for Vegas Games

  Posted: February 11, 2011, 8:24 pm by ruggerbug

  As below..Day One Sat 12 Feb 2011(KENYA TIME)1 20:24 ENGLAND 0 - 0 GUYANA Pool A 2 20:46 ARGENTINA 0 - 0 FRANCE Pool A 3 21:08 NEW ZEALAND 0 - 0 URUGUAY Pool B 4 21:30 WALES 0 - 0 KENYA Pool B5 21:52 FIJI 0 - 0 CANADA Pool C 6 22:14 AUSTRALIA 0 - 0 SCOTLAND Pool C 7 22:36 SAMOA 0 - 0 JAPAN Pool D 8 22:58 SOUTH AFRICA 0 - 0 UNITED STATES Pool D 9 23:40

• Weekend Games

  Posted: February 11, 2011, 11:15 am by DataMiner

  Only one Kenya Cup match on the cards this weekend, Harlequins at home to Nakuru. Not too much I can say about this one, save the fact that Quins have retained all their players, save one, whilst Nakuru have given four players to the Kenya A side to face Warringah Rats in the highlight game of the day.With the current form Quins is displaying, and the depletion of the Nakuru side, I feel Quins

• Kenya A squad to face Warringah Rats named

  Posted: February 10, 2011, 5:21 pm by Back2Besics

  Kenya Harlequin FC fullback Chris Oduor captains the 22 man Kenya A squad that faces visiting Australian Club side Warringah Rats on Saturday afternoon at the RFUEA Grounds from 430pm. Coach Howard Okwemba expects a bruising battle from the Australians, noting "we expect a tough fixture...it will be particularly tight in the forwards...we saw them play against Quins last weekend...they were

• England bring in back-up for Italy

  Posted: February 9, 2011, 9:13 pm by guestblogger

  England will be fully aware that they will need to forget about last week's opening game victory against Wales and be fully focused on their next game against Italy at Twickenham. The defeat of Wales have given England a great chance of lifting their first Six Nations trophy since 2003 but Italy proved in their opening match against Ireland that they aren't going to be the tournament's whipping

• Tank back in the saddle as Kenya Rugby 15's Coach

  Posted: February 9, 2011, 9:49 am by Back2Besics

  Michael (Tank) Otieno has been re-appointed the Kenya 15s Head Coach. Tank successfully steered the Kenya team to an all time high of position 31 in the IRB rankings, last year. In the process, the team gained both the Elgon and Victoria Cups unbeaten. Tank returns to the job at a time the full game is experiencing renewed national interest. This version is clearly coming out of the shadows of

• Kenya Cup - Week 14

  Posted: February 7, 2011, 4:50 pm by DataMiner

  I missed them all. Can't really call them upsets, but very interesting results. The scramble for second place is only helping the league leaders and the battle to avoid relegation (or not) is also greatly motivating others. Next weekends solitary Kenya Cup match will point the way at the top and after that just two more matches and it's all over. KCB now move to second place whilst Impala

• Waringah Rats lose tour opener against Quins

  Posted: February 7, 2011, 2:09 am by Back2Besics

  Waringah Rats put behind flight troubles to put a good show for mostof game. The Rats scored fast and for a good period the game was 10-10and thereafter Quins piled points to win the game.Kenya Harlequins 29 Waringah Rats 10Well in to the Ngong Road side.

• Kenya Cup Results 5.2.11

  Posted: February 5, 2011, 11:21 pm by Back2Besics

  KCB extinguish Impala cup hopes with win at the DenStrathmore hit Nondies hard with record scoreMean Machine douse fast-fading Mwamba with first league winKCB 32 Impala 14Strathmore Leos 48 Nondies 7Mean Machine 24 Mwamba 11

• IRB 7's Wellington: Kenya win Bowl 19 -0 over Tonga

  Posted: February 5, 2011, 1:25 pm by Back2Besics

  Confident Kenya take Bowl with inspiring performance over Tonga. BikoAdema is Kenya's man of the tournament. Oscar Ouma has bright future.Ashioya, Injera and Kayange provide vital experience.Kenya 19 Tonga 0.Well done guys. Go Kenya Go.

• IRB 7's Wellington: Kenya 15 Scotland 12

  Posted: February 5, 2011, 12:03 pm by Back2Besics

  Adema last second try leads Kenya to Bowl final with win overScotland. Tonga next.Kenya 15 Scotland 12

• IRB 7's Wellington: Kenya 19 Canada 14

  Posted: February 5, 2011, 7:11 am by Back2Besics

  Ouma, Ocholla and Amonde give Kenya first win in Wellington. Scotlandnext in Bowl Semi.Kenya 19 Canada 14

• Weekend Games

  Posted: February 4, 2011, 5:14 pm by DataMiner

  Kenya Cup action enters the closing stages with three matches on the cards tomorrow. Kenya Commercial Bank host Impala in the headline fixture whilst Mwamba cross the highway to bottom placed Mean Machine. The last match has Strathmore at home to Nondescripts. Harlequins and Nakuru will not play their match this weekend.KCB/Impala will be fairly balanced in the forwards, but I give KCB the

• How to solve the Hook issue

  Posted: February 4, 2011, 4:57 pm by guestblogger

  Warren Gatland has managed to find a place for the mercurial James Hook by handing the Ospreys man the number 15 shirt for Wales' opening game of this year's Six Nations. The head coach has admitted it was a case of "finding a spot" for Hook and that it had taken plenty of discussion amongst the management over where to play the talented 25-year-old. The decision to play Hook at full-back mean

• IRB 7's Wellington : Tonga 17 Kenya 10

  Posted: February 4, 2011, 12:19 pm by Back2Besics

  Tonga grind out win over Kenya as Bowl beckonsTonga 17 Kenya 10

• IRB 7's Wellington : Australia 21 Kenya 19

  Posted: February 4, 2011, 9:46 am by Back2Besics

  Referee denies Kenya upset win in stoppage time.Australia 21 Kenya 19

• IRB 7's Wellington: Samoa 24 Kenya 21

  Posted: February 4, 2011, 9:02 am by Back2Besics

  Kenya in narrow loss in opening encounter to Samoa.Samoa 24 Kenya 21.

• Clash of styles set up mouth-watering Six Nations tie

  Posted: February 3, 2011, 6:26 pm by guestblogger

  Come Friday all the talking will have been done, not that the pre-match hype hasn’t been entertainment in itself. Warren Gatland ensured there will be an extra kick in an already spicy match by his persistent criticism of England hooker Dylan Hartley; a move which riled Martin Johnson to join in the war of words and accuse his counterpart of trying to cover his own sides recent poor form. “they

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: February 3, 2011, 2:37 pm by DataMiner

  Three years ago, when I took up the challenge to write on this blog, it was a long and lonely journey. A few other blogs existed dedicated to rugby but geared more towards their clubs and/or colleges. The challenge to me was just to write what I see and to comment with my limited knowledge on life and rugby on things that were taking place in the game. I think I have done fairly well and some

• Clubs prepare to throw out Union

  Posted: February 2, 2011, 1:31 am by The Real KRFU

  Namibian rugby has been thrown into turmoil months before the country makes her fourth consecutive appearance at the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Cup finals in New Zealand, later this year..Our sources have it on good authority that the clubs are fed up with the current Namibian Rugby Union (NRU) Executive and want to see a cleanout at Lichtenstein Strasse with immediate effect.The 26

• Wood faces tough debut

  Posted: February 2, 2011, 7:33 pm by guestblogger

  As debuts go a Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff is up there with one of the toughest around.But that is the task facing Northampton flanker Tom Wood who has been named in Martin Johnson's starting XV for Friday night's titanic tussle. Fans will be keeping a close eye on the live score goalwire and Wood will be under a lot of pressure.The former Worcester star wasn't in the original squad

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Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes