By KPC Sports Reporter
KCB Rugby 7s moved closer to retaining the SportPesa National 7s Circuit title after edging bitter rivals Kabras Sugar 7s 12-10 in a thrilling Embu 7s final on Sunday.
The victory, KCB’s third Cup final win over Kabras in five legs this season, lifted the defending champions to 98 points at the top of the overall standings, six clear of their western rivals with only the season-ending Christie 7s remaining.
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KCB took control of the final through tries from Shujaa forward Vincent Onyala and Emmanuel Opondo, before holding off a determined Kabras fightback.
Michael Lukusi and Griffin Chao crossed for Kabras, but the Bankers held their nerve to secure the penultimate leg of the 2026 circuit.
The two heavyweights had once again swept aside the competition on their way to the final, setting up another chapter in what has become the circuit’s defining rivalry this season.
For Kabras, however, the defeat leaves their pursuit of the overall crown hanging by a thread.
The side heads to Nairobi six points behind KCB and must win the Christie 7s outright while hoping the defending champions finish no higher than third to overturn the deficit and claim the series title.
KCB will enter the finale with the advantage and the knowledge that the championship remains theirs to lose, although Kabras have repeatedly shown their ability to push the Bankers to the limit.
The Embu final also marked a measure of revenge for KCB after Kabras beat them in the Driftwood 7s final a fortnight ago.
With defending champions Strathmore Leos eliminated at the group stage, Embu was guaranteed to crown a new champion, opening the door for KCB and Kabras to dominate the business end of the tournament once again.
Menengai Oilers completed the podium after recovering from their 22-5 semi-final defeat to Kabras to beat Daystar Falcons 29-7 in the third-place playoff.
The result marked Oilers’ third podium finish of the season.
KU Blak Blad claimed fifth place after edging Kenya Harlequins, the hosts of the Christie 7s, 17-14, leaving Harlequins sixth.
KCB pocketed KES150,000 for winning the Embu 7s, while Kabras received KES75,000 as runners-up. Oilers took home KES40,000 after finishing third.
Fierce contest
SportPesa Head of PR Willis Ojwang said the Embu results had intensified an already fiercely contested title race ahead of the final leg.
“We’re within sight of the finish line, and KCB have made a real statement by taking a stranglehold at the top of the overall standings with this Embu win,” said Ojwang.
“But this season has taught us not to call anything until the final whistle blows at Christie 7s — Kabras have pushed them all the way in three finals now, and Oilers’ consistency on the podium shows the chasing pack isn’t done either,” he added.
Ojwang said the prize money was part of SportPesa’s effort to sustain competition throughout the circuit.
“Every shilling we put on the table, from the KES150,000 on offer for the Cup winners down to the podium rewards, is our way of backing that competitiveness,” he said.
“The overall series title and plenty of pride are still up for grabs, and we want every team walking onto that pitch in Kenya Harlequins’ backyard knowing this one counts,” he added.
The Christie 7s will now provide the final stage for what has been a closely fought National 7s Circuit season, with KCB seeking to crown their campaign with another overall title and Kabras needing a near-perfect finish to snatch the championship.
