2009 Event

The first annual international Diani Beach 5-a-Side Touch Rugby tournament held at Forty Thieves Beach Bar on the 15/16/17th May 2009 was an excellent success and a great start to what promises to become a major event. A total of 20 sides participated with some excellent rugby being played over the three day event. "Newick” from Sussex, England, sent out two teams: the tournaments first overseas sides. The other 18 teams were made up of a variety of Kenyan sides.

Two pitches were set up right in front of Forty Thieves Beach Bar on the magnificently white sandy beach. The bar, being slightly elevated, provided an excellent grandstand and watering hole for the spectators and participants alike. The setting was truly unique offering spectacular rugby on one of the world's most beautiful coast lines with superb cuisine available throughout the weekend.

The tournament started at three on the Friday afternoon and continued until Sunday afternoon. Two games were played by each team on the first day followed by four games on the second day. These first two days of Rugby were run on a league basis with seven minutes each way and one minute for half time. Sunday was a knockout day which started at ten in the morning and saw some superb games of a high standard. The final was played at two pm which was ten minutes each way followed shortly after by prize giving.

Super Sports (DSTV, South Africa) flew a camera crew specially in from Malawi to cover this final day and we would like to thank them for their support and invite them back to cover future events. The playing schedule was tight and thanks goes out to all the officials for their tireless help in keeping the event running efficiently and on time especially considering 2009 was the first. The organising committee did a commendable job and a big thanks goes out to them. This made the first Diani Beach 5-a-Side Touch Rugby a truly memorable weekend.

All teams played and partied in the true spirit of the game and we hope to see you all back next year. Thanks goes to all teams for their efforts that made this event the success it was. The social side will be one to remember, some nights the bar never closed! We welcome you all back again and hope to see many more overseas entrants in the years to come.

Congratulations goes out to the main competition winners Mombasa Polytechnic who beat Nairobi's Nondes by one try in a gruelling final. The Bowl final saw Newick beat the locally sponsored Diani Shopping Centre team and in the Shield Mwamba H2O beat Mombasa Sharks.

Kenya retain Tusker Safari Sevens (This year it will be the Safricom Sevens)

(www.irb.com) Monday 22 June 2009

Kenya's Collins Injera was back in top form at the Safari Sevens.

The IRB Sevens World Series' leading try-scorer this season Collins Injera scored four more in the Tusker Safari Sevens final as Kenya retained their home title by beating the Emerging Springboks.

Benjamin Ayimba's side put in a masterful display to beat the South Africa second string 40-19.

Seven other African nations - Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Botswana and Tunisia - took part in the tournament played at the RFUEA grounds in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

Kenya, who finished sixth in the IRB Sevens World Series this year, also won the competition last year by beating the Emerging Boks in the final, 31-12.

Lewis Marlon's converted try put the Boks ahead before Injera's first pulled the hosts level. Innocent Simiyu's try then made it 14-7 to Kenya before Injera's second and third put them three scores clear at the break, 26-7.

Jacobus Schobart and Dean Scholz scored for the Boks after the break but indiscipline cost them a penalty try before Injera's fourth capped an outstanding personal performance for the wing, who now looks likely to try out at Western Province.

Hamilton Raiders won the Plate final with a 19-12 win over the Chairman’s select, Bristol were Bowl winners courtesy of a hard fought 5-0 victory over France's Les Bleus Sevens, while Japan won the Shield with a 22-0 win over Zambia.

Kenya Harlequins FC won the veterans category with a 17-5 over the RVA Vets, Western Province took the schools title with a 19-0 win over Nyanza, while Mwamba I won the ladies title with a 54-0 win over Vivi.