You are here: Home / Archives for Michael Kwambo

Michael Kwambo's Archives

About Michael Kwambo

Michael Kwambo started his club rugby at Impala RFC, before moving to Kenya Commercial Bank RFC in 2002 where he enjoyed a distinguished playing career that included Kenya Cup, Enterprise Cup and Impala Floodlit success before injury cut short his playing career in 2009. He began a successful career in journalism and has been a regular contributor to various Kenyan and international rugby publications since 2009.

East African affair as Kenya face Uganda in C.A.R Cup semi

July 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Kenya and Uganda take their regional rivalry to the continental stage, meeting in the second semi final of the 2012 Confederation of African Rugby’s Division 1A competition, the top tier and by extenstion, the most prestigious of the various competitions organized by the body that oversees the game on the African continent. This match takes place tonight at 1800 GMT (2100hrs local time) in Tunis, Tunisia.

Kenya, who became African champions by virtue of winning this competition on home soil when they beat Tunisia 16-7 in the final on Saturday 12 November 2011, come into this tie having recently relinquished their five year stranglehold on the Elgon Cup to Uganda, and this meeting in Tunis gives Michael Otieno’s charges the perfect opportunity to exact revenge on their neighbours and move closer towards retaining the title by virtue of booking a berth in Saturday’s final.

A win will be important for Kenya as it will not only boost their title defence hopes but will also see them stay in Division 1A which will next year serve as the African qualifier for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Kenya will choose their squad from:

Joel Nganga (Rhinos/Capitain), Moses Amusala (Lions), Dennis Karani (Rhinos), Curtis Lilako (Lions), Sammy Warui , Duncan Mwangi,Wilson Kopondo(Rhinos), Ronnie Mwenesi (Cheetahs), Tony Mutai (Rhinos), Duncan Ekasi (Cheetahs), Oscar Ouma (Nakuru), Charles Omondi (Sharks), Lawi Buyachi (Cheetahs), Edwin Machanje (Lions), Moses Kola (Cheetahs), Edwin Achayo , Eden Agero (Rhinos), Isaac Adimo (Sharks), Nick Barasa(Rhinos), Patrice Agunda (Quins), David Ambunya (University of Cape Town), Vincent Mose (Cheetahs), Tony Onyango (Sharks), Dennis Muhanji (Rhinos)

This match will be preceded by the first semi final pitting hosts Tunisia and Zimbabwe at 1600GMT (1900hrs local time).

Confederation of African Rugby ,Division 1 A, Tunis, Tunisia
Semi Final Schedule,Tuesday 10 July 2012

Tunisia v Zimbabwe, 1600 GMT
Kenya v Uganda 1800 GMT

Final Schedule,Saturday 14 July 2012

Third place playoff
Loser (semi final 1) v Loser (semi final 2), 1600 GMT

*loser of this match relegated to Division 1B

Africa Cup Final
Winner (semi final 1) v Winner (semi final 2), 1800 GMT

Filed Under: Regional News

Enterprise Cup enters semi final stage

June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This season’s installment of Kenya’s oldest rugby competition, the Enterprise Cup, which was first played in 1930,enters its semi final stage on Saturday 23 June 2012. We have two potentially explosive fixtures on the cards, defending champions Lunch Bar Quins facing off with KCB at the RFUEA Grounds while Impala RFC host Nondescript RUFC at the Impala Club.

Lunch Bar Quins v KCB
Saturday 23 June 2012, RFUEA Grounds
Center Referee:Colin Stanley
Assistant Referees: Andrew Karani,Mwangi Karimi

Quins are ten time Enterprise Cup champions and come into this tie looking to complete the season’s double, having claimed the Kenya Cup league title earlier this season. Earning a bye to the quarter final, Quins booked their semi final berth with a 39-13 home win over Kisumu RFC last weekend and will brace themselves for a sterner test from KCB.

KCB took a longer route to the semis, emerging victorious against sides perceived to be their bogey teams. The 2004 and 2007 Enterprise Cup champions began this season’s campaign with a 25-3 pre-quarter final win at home over Mwamba RFC on Saturday 9 June 2012 before overcoming the Strathmore Leos 14-3 at the latters home ground. Blending youth and experience, the Lions will fancy their chances when they meet a Quins side with whom they have shared some epic battles.

As mentioned earlier, this match should be potentially explosive owing to the fact that there will be some mini battles. Incumbent Quins and Kenya front rows Joel Ng’ang’a and Dennis Karani will be up against their national team counterparts Curtis Lilako and Moses Amusala.

The second row battle between Kenya international Wilson Kopondo and KCB youngster Oliver Mang’eni who recently earned a call up to Kenya’s provisional suqad for the Confederation of African Rugby tournament will worth watching while the backrow duel between former sevens internationals Brian Nyikuli (Quins) and Dennis Mwanja (KCB) will definitely be intriguing.

The midfield duels pitting Kenyan internationals Nick Barasa and Patrice Agunda (Quins) against Fabian Olando and Brian Omondi (KCB) will also be key in determining the outcome of this match.

This match kicks off at 4.30pm

Impala RFC v Nondescript RUFC
Saturday 23 June 2012, Impala Club
Center Referee: J.Muamba
Assistant Referees A.Ndong,Ian Muriuki

Two sides who had a Kenya Cup league season to forget face off in the second Enterprise Cup semi final. Impala RFC, losing finalists on the last two occassions host a Nondescript RUFC who like their hosts, are out to end the season on a high.

Ten time winners Impala qualified for the semis with a 23-6 win over Homeboyz last weekend while twenty five time winners Nondies booked their semi final berth with a 37-17 win over the Western Bulls.

There is all to play for, the long standing rivalry will also be a contributing factor. With both sides rebuilding, it will be interesting to see how this match turns up

Kick off, 4.30pm

Semi final action also continues in the Mwamba Cup, former champions KCB Cubs playing host to USIU at the Lions Den in Ruaraka while Impala Boks are at home to 2003 Mwamba Cup champions Mombasa at the Impala Club. Action in the Mwamba Cup kicks off at 3pm.

Filed Under: Regional News

A review of the 2012 Bamburi Rugby Super Series

June 20, 2012 by 1 Comment

It is close to three weeks since the curtains fell on the 2012 Bamburi Rugby Super Series, the 10th edition of the tournament that was first held in 2003. We review the tournament, right from the group stages to the championship match.

Group Stage Matches
Match Day One Saturday 5 May 2012

match day one action

Defending champions UAP Rhinos began their title defense with a comprehensive 46-9 Pool B win over Uganda’s KCB Victoria at the RFUEA Grounds while the SDV Transami Cheetahs edged out Nguvu Sharks 11-7 in a tight Pool A fixture, both matches were played at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds.
Dimension Data Rwenzori survived a scare from the Mumias Sugar Buffaloes, holding out for the 43-31 Pool B win in Kampala while the Lions stopped the Coastal Bulls 45-6 in Mombasa.

Match Day Two Saturday 12 May 2012

This was definitely to be a pivotal point in the tournament, teams would know their fate and with the heavy rains pounding Nairobi forcing a change of venue to the Jamhuri Park, the Lions registered a second Pool A win, beating the Sharks 15-8 while the Cheetahs were 50-10 winners over the Bulls in the other Pool A fixture.

Over in Kampala, Rwenzori succeeded where others had failed, ending the Rhinos 16 match unbeaten run in the tournament stretching back to 2008, beating the defending champions 17-15 while Victoria beat the Buffaloes 17-7 in Mumias to leave Pool B wide open.


Match Day Three Saturday 19 May 2012
The battle of the cats in Pool A was really all about who tops the group and earns a favorable semi final draw. The Lions beat the Cheetahs 24-15 to finish top and stay in Nairobi during the semis while the Cheetahs would be travelling to Kampala. The other Pool A match ended 43-17 to Sharks against the Bulls.

Pool B had its fair share of drama, the Rhinos staring elimination in the face if they fell to the Buffaloes in Nakuru. The champions raced into a 10-0 lead but found themselves trailing 10-18 before rallying to defeat the stubborn Buffaloes 25-18 and book a semi berth against the Lions.
Rwenzori beat counterparts Victoria 19-10 to top the pool, setting up a semi final clash against the Cheetahs.

Match Day Four, Semi Finals ,Saturday 26 May 2012
Defending champions Rhinos went 15-5 up against the Lions, but allowed the 2008 champions back into the game, and they trailed 15-19 with minutes to play before Wilson Kopondo try sealed the win for the Rhinos, who made it to their sixth straight final since 2007.
Rwenzori made history by beating the Cheetahs 25-0 and becoming the first Ugandan side to reach the final.

Match Day Five , Grand Finale, Saturday 2 June 2012
Third place playoff
The third place playoff match saw the SDV Transami Cheetahs rally from 12-18 to register a 22-18 win over the Lions. The Lions went ahead through an unconverted Curtis Lilako try before Tony Nyandigisi leveled for the Cheetahs. Ian Indimuli and Fabian Olando added a try and penalty each before Ronnie Mwenesi scored against his former side, Moses Kola converting to take the scores to 13-12 at half time. Peter Mutai would stretch the Lions lead with a second half try before Mwenesi and Vincent Mose’s tries sealed the win for the Cheetahs.


Championship Match

UAP Rhinos 2012 BRSS Champions

The UAP Rhinos eventually re-wrote the history books, beating Dimension Data Rwenzori 25-14 to lift their sixth overall Bamburi Rugby Super Series title in an entertaining final played before a capacity crowd at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on Saturday 2 June 2012.


BRSS 2012 Statistics
Bamburi Rugby Super Series
Saturday 2 June 2012
Match Day Five Collated Results and related statistics
Final: UAP Rhinos 25 Dimension Data Rwenzori 14

3rd Place Playoff: SDV Transami Cheetahs 22 Lions 14

Man of the Series: Wilson Kopondo (UAP Rhinos)

Top Points Scorer: Fabian Olando (Lions) 46 points

Top Try Scorer: Wilson Kopondo (UAP Rhinos) 5 tries

Previous BRSS Final Results
2003: Rhinos 27 Cheetahs 11
2004: Cheetahs 32 Lions 22
2005: Buffaloes 27 Lions 26
2006: Cheetahs 29 Lions 27
2007: Rhinos 28 Lions 20
2008: Lions 33 Rhinos 9
2009: Rhinos 30 Buffaloes 13
2010: Rhinos 25 Cheetahs 5
2011: Rhinos 20 Cheetahs 15
2012: Rhinos 25 Rwenzori 14

Silas Amunga R.I.P

Lastly, we sign off by paying tribute to former Lions utility back Silas Amunga, “F Baby” or “Janeko” to all those who knew him. He was a member of the Lions squad that won the 2008 Bamburi Rugby Super Series title with a 33-9 win over the Rhinos. He passed away on Sunday 17 June 2012 after a short illness aged 29.

Rest in peace Janeko

Filed Under: Headlines, Super Series News

England Counties defeat Elgon Warriors in Nairobi

June 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

By Emma Kennedy

Billy Johnson touched down for the third straight game and former Bedford srum-half Stefan Liebenberg started as England Counties triumphed 34-14 against the Elgon Warriors in Nairobi this weekend.

Rory Teague clocked up 19 points as England Counties made it three from three with a four-try win.

Teague, second cousin of England and Lions legend ‘Iron Mike’, kicked 15 points and crossed for the Counties second try to wrap up a tour which will go down in East African rugby history.

After their 39-5 defeat in Kampala last week the Warriors showed vast improvement particularly in the set-piece and demonstrated the potential of East African rugby.

Head Coach Jan Bonney said: “Credit must go to the Elgon Warriors, they put us under pressure and were good over the ball.

“We scored some nice tries to earn a good lead but we also made mistakes and missed opportunities.

“We’re delighted with the win and it was a real squad effort. Those who came on made an impact and that is credit to them.

“The whole trip has been about all 26 players and they’ve represented England Counties really well both on and off the pitch in terms of enthusiasm and work rate.

“The outreach work we have done has been incredibly humbling and the fact that the team has bonded so well together has made the tour a fantastic experience on every level. It has certainly created lifelong memories for everyone involved.

“There are some outstanding players in this group, some real talent coming through and this tour has provided them with the opportunity to face new playing challenges and experiences.”

Playing at the RFUEA in Nairobi where the British and Irish Lions beat the Tuskers in 1955 and 1962, the tour has been considered of equal importance to rugby in the host countries of Kenya and Uganda and has revived the heritage of a combined East African side.

England started the second leg well but individual errors and a lack of phase play provided turnover ball and the opportunity for the Elgon Warriors to score penalties and make counter-attacking breaks.

Once in the 22 with the ball in hand England looked dangerous and their first points came after two minutes when the ball was moved out wide for Steve Hamilton to dive low in the corner and Teague added the extras.

Minutes later Eden Agero scored one of three first half penalties and the Warriors began to put England under pressure, disrupting their play.

Teague extended England’s lead to 10-3 before the fly-half added a further seven with a converted try.

A maul just inside the 22, led by Hamilton, left the Warriors short in defence and quick ball by Stefan Liebenberg allowed Teague to step inside and cross the line.

England’s errors and ill-discipline gifted the Warriors six points after powerful attacking runs had put the home side in range of the posts.

Teague replied on the half time whistle with a penalty in another faultless kicking performance to take the Counties into a 20-9 lead.

England spent the first 10 minutes of the second half camped by the Warriors’ try line but failed to take anything from it.

After 60 minutes, Ben Pons, awarded man of the match by his team, made one of many strong runs after taking the ball from the back of a lineout.

Impact substitute Jared Saunders showed good footwork to gain further ground before the ball was spun out through Teague to Briers, who crossed under the posts.

Patrice Agunda scored the Warriors only try of the match before young winger Jim Wigglesworth displayed his potential in creating England’s fourth try.

Cutting a great line and side-stepping at pace he skipped through the Warriors’ defence. From the resultant breakdown just short of the try line, a pick-and-go from Johnson allowed the blindside flanker to set the record of having touched down in every match.

England continued to attack for the final 10 minutes and Teague’s conversion was England’s final score of the tour.

Filed Under: Regional News

A historical look at major East Africa home international matches

June 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

East Africa faced the British Lions in 1955 in the first game played at the recently constructed headquarters of East African rugby, the RFUEA and during the next six years welcomed other touring sides from the United Kingdom and South Africa including the Barbarians and South Africa and several prestigious university and military teams.

East Africa v British Lions
Wednesday 28 September 1955

Five and a half years after their first match against the University of Capetown, East Africa played their first international match against perhaps the most famous touring team in rugby history, the British Lions as they returned from their tour of South Africa

The Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) took the opportunity of the 1955 match to invite the Lions manager (J.A.E. Siggins) to officially open their newly built national stadium, the RFUEA Ground (then called the Ngong Road Ground) prior to kick-off. The capacity crowd of 6000 was treated to a magnificent display of running handling rugby that had characterised the tourists’ games in South Africa.
Result :
East Africa 12 British Lions 39
Venue: Ngong Road Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
Attendance: 6000
Referee: A.G. Clark

East Africa v Barbarians
Wednesday 28 May 1958

In 1958, famous touring side Barbarians stopped over in Nairobi, on their way home from a successful tour of South Africa.Members of this team who had previously visited Nairobi with the 1955 Lions were RH Williams, AJF O’Reilly, REG Jeeps, HF McLeod, JT Greenwood, CI Morgan, AR Smith and AC Pedlow. RH Davies had previously toured with the 1957 Combined (Oxford and Cambridge) Universities side. The match was played before a capacity crowd in the late afternoon / early evening on a Wednesday; the papers reported that the colony’s Legislative Council (Legco.) had adjourned early that day before cryptically referring to the Barbarian game later in the same paragraph by way of an oblique explanation. The visitors playing champagne rugby in the highest traditions of their club.

Result
East Africa 12 Barbarian F.C 52.
Ngong Road Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
Attendance: 6000
Referee: A.K. Fyfe

East Africa v Springboks
25 February 1961

In 1960-61, the Springboks undertook a four month tour of the United Kingdom and France, winning all their 43 matches except for a 0-0 draw against France and a 6-0 defeat by the Barbarians at Cardiff in what is often inaccurately listed as the final match of that tour. They left London on Wednesday February 22 by air, landing in Nairobi for a four day stopover in Kenya on their way back to Johannesburg and, on Saturday 25 February 1961, they played East Africa. This was the first and only meeting between these teams, quite possibly the first match between South Africa and another African “nation”, but unequivocally the true last match of the tour.

Result
East Africa 0 South Africa 39
Ngong Road Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
Referee: Mr W S Thomas (KRRS)

East Africa v British Lions
Tuesday 28 August 1962

Almost exactly seven years after hosing the 1955 Lions, East Africa faced the Lions again on the same ground, this time as they were returning from their 1962 tour to South Africa.

Result
East Africa 0 British Lions 50
Ngong Road Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
Attendance: 4000
Referee: D.G. Withey

East Africa v Wales
Tuesday 12 May 1964

In 1964 the Welsh national team undertook their first overseas tour, a five match tour of Africa. They left London on Sunday May 10 flying to Nairobi, arriving on Monday morning. They played their first ever match outside Europe against East Africa on Tuesday May 12,1964.

Result
East Africa 8 Wales 26
Ngong Road Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
Attendance: 6000
Referee: G.E. Neville (Kenya R.R.S)
Touch Judge M.I. Parker

Source- Wikipedia

Filed Under: Features, Regional News

Background information on the East African Select sides (forerunner of the modern day Elgon Warriors)

June 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The East African select side, was established in 1950 drawing players from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, though majority of the players hailed from Kenya, which traditionally was the strongest rugby playing nation amongst the trio.

When the Elgon Warriors marched on to the Kyadondo pitch to face the visiting England Counties on Saturday 9 June 2012, it marked the first time an East African select side had been in action since 1982 when they embarked on a tour of Zambia and Zimbabwe, winning three and losing three of the five fixtures they played.

The class of 1982, coached by Rod Evans, and captained by Jackson Omaido had just one non Kenyan, Kampala RFC winger David Nsubuga. Fast forward to 2012 and the Elgon Warriors, the reactivated East African side coached by Kenya’s Ham Onsando and captained by Ugandan Alex Mubiru is an almost equal mix of Kenyan and Ugandan players.

The first East African representative side played a visiting side from the University of Cape Town, losing all three matches against UCT, going down 5-33, 0-16, and 9-27.

In 1953 the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) was created in order to take over the mantle as the umbrella organisation for rugby in the region.It also gave the team slightly more official status though little, if anything, had changed with regard to the management of the team. Tuskers tours to the Copperbelt became somewhat of a tradition, six of the eight Tuskers tours have been to this rugby stronghold in southern Africa; a region that can provide an appropriate level of opposition and at a distance that does not strain the purse-strings of the players and unions alike. The only Tuskers tours not to the Copperbelt were toEngland (1966) and Ireland (1972).

A year after the first tour, East Africa faced the British Lions in the first game played at the recently constructed headquarters of East African rugby, the RFUEA and during the next six years welcomed other touring sides from the United Kingdom and South Africa including the Barbarians and South Africa and several prestigious university and military teams.

The Second Tuskers Tour took place in 1962 and again East Africa’s first game at home after returning from a tour was against the British Lions. Between 1963 and 1966 several clubs and universities toured East Africa and played against the full representative side including, in 1964, Wales. Tours from South Africa were no longer welcomed as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were participating in the boycott protesting the apartheid regime in that country.

In the six years between the Third (1966) and Fourth (1972) Tuskers tours fifteen high profile clubs from the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic toured the region and played matches against East Africa, including Richmond FC, Blackheath FC, Harlequins FCand Blackrock College RFC several touring twice in those years so enamoured were they by the region and their welcome. The fixtures played by East Africa at this time demonstrate clearly that outgoing tours create contacts and the desire amongst foreign clubs to come to East Africa and the converse also, incoming tours then generate invitations to conduct external visits.

Source- Wikipedia/Gishinga Njoroge

Filed Under: Features, Regional News

Seguya, Muhanji and Wokorach out of Warriors clash against Counties

June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Injuries to Robert Seguya, Michael Wokorach and Dennis Muhanji sustained during last weekend’s 5-39 loss to the England Counties in Kampala will see the trio sit out of the reverse fixture against the Counties in Nairobi. Head Coach Ham Onsando, while speaking at a press function in Nairobi on Wednesday morning said, ” We have made a few changes to the squad, necessitated by injuries to Robert Seguya, Dennis Muhanji and Mike Wokorach.in their place come in Wilson Kopondo, Tony Mutai and Ronnie Mwenesi as we expect to beef up our tight five.”

He added, ” “England Counties should expect an improved performance from the Warriors. The result in Kampala was largely due to the fact that the team had not really gelled, but I expect a marked improvement in Nairobi.”

The match takes place on Saturday 16 June 2012 at the RFUEA Grounds, kicking off at 4.00pm and will be aired live on Supersport 9E.

Filed Under: Regional News

MultiChoice boost Elgon Warriors-England Counties fixture

June 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

MultiChoice East Africa and Supersport have injected Ksh 1.5 million to support Saturday’s match pitting the East African Select side, Elgon Warriors against the visiting England Counties which consists of players drawn from the various counties in England.

Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi Muthee, while accepting the sponsorship package, said, “We thank MultiChoice and their Supersport brand for this gesture. Supersport and Kenya rugby have plenty common as they both are African giants in their respective fields.”

He added, “ Let us walk this walk this together. Kenyan rugby is developing faster than the existing infrastructure can support it. “

Speaking during the official sponsorship handover, MultiChoice Kenya General Manager Danny Mucira said, “ This sponsorship is expected to cater for logistics as well as ensuring that the momentous occasion is captured on camera for the whole of East Africa to witness.”

The same function saw the Elgon Warriors playing kit unveiled and this presented an opportunity for Warriors Head Coach Ham Onsando to speak about his side’s performance in the first match in Kampala where they fell 39-5 as well as the build up to the return fixture.

Onsando observed that while the team acquitted themselves well last weekend, the players hadn’t gelled and that he expected improvements in the return match in Nairobi.

“England Counties should expect an improved performance from the Warriors, he added.

“ We have made a few changes to the squad, necessitated by injuries to Robert Seguya, Dennis Muhanji and Mike Wokorach.in their place come in Wilson Kopondo, Tony Mutai and Ronnie Mwenesi as we expect to beef up our tight five.”

The match takes place on Saturday 16 June 2012 at the RFUEA Grounds, kicking off at 4.00pm and will be aired live on Supersport 9E.

Filed Under: Regional News

England Counties arrive in Nairobi to face Elgon Warriors

June 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Nairobi, Monday 11 June 2012

The England Counties XV landed in Nairobi on Monday evening, as they embarked on the final leg of their East African tour that has seen them conduct a series of rugby development and outreach programmes in addition to playing two matches in Uganda, against the Victoria Barbarians on Tuesday 5 June 2012, a match that they won 66-13, before playing the Elgon Warriors, an East African select side featuring players from Uganda and Kenya, a match that they won 39-5 at the Kyadondo Rugby Club on Saturday 9 June 2012. They will renew their acquaintance with the Elgon Warriors on Saturday 16 June 2012 at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds, as they seek to wrap up the series against the East African select side.


Speaking on arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday evening, the Counties Team Manager Michael Old expressed his gratitude at the reception his side had received throughout the duration of their East African tour, adding that after Saturday’s bruising battle in Kampala, his charges were ready for the reverse fixture against the Elgon Warriors.

The Kenya Rugby Union Chairman, Mwangi Muthee, while receiving the team, welcomed them to Kenya, while expressing hope that this tie against the Elgon Warriors would be incorporated into the visitors itinerary as an annual fixture.

Back ground to the Counties:

The England Counties was conceived in 2001 with the intention of providing amateur and semi-professional players from the second tier and below, within the English league structure, with the opportunity to play international rugby. The aim was also to raise the profile of the County Championship and offer competing players the added incentive of representing their country.

By playing regular international fixtures and arranging tours to developing nations the England Counties seeks to develop players whilst advancing the game of rugby in the host nation. Their first links with Africa were forged in 2007 when Tunisia visited England, but before then the Counties had toured Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, North America and Canada. They later added Russia, South Korea and Japan to their portfolio but the tour to Kenya and Uganda takes them into Africa for the first time.

In addition to this gradual expansion, the Counties have also helped talented players who have slipped through the junior selection process to find their way onto the senior international squad. Ben Foden, David Strettle, Sean Perry and Dean Schofield all graduated into the senior England ranks, Ben Spencer featured for the Saxons earlier this year and James Rodwell, Nick Royle and Tom Powell progressed from the Counties XV onto the IRB World Sevens stage.

England Counties Squad for Kenya and Uganda

Forwards
Rob Baldwin*^ (Wharfedale & Yorkshire) (C)
Joe Bonner (Blackheath & Kent)
Richard Boyle^(Newcastle Falcons & Northumberland)
James Cleverly (Blackheath & Kent)
David Dickinson* (Tynedale & Northumberland)
Billy Johnson (Unattached & Hertfordshire)
James Lindfield (Westcombe Park & Kent)
Dave Marwick (Stockport & Cheshire)
Ben Pons (Moseley & North Mids)
Gareth Rawlings (Fylde & Lancashire)
Jared Saunders (Saracens & Hertfordshire)
Craig Voisey^ (Moseley & North Mids)
Chris Wearmouth*(Blaydon & Durham)
Sam Wilkes* (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)

Backs
Chris Briers*^ (Fylde & Lancashire)
Will Burton (Luctonians & North Mids)
Phil Chesters* (Ealing & Devon)
Steve Hamilton^ (Unattached & Yorkshire)
Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing & Cheshire)
Toby Howley-Berridge (Unattached & Eastern Counties)
Stefan Liebenberg* (Bedford & Hertfordshire)
Harry Peck*^ (Tynedale & Northumberland)
Jack Smales^ (Nevers & Northumberland)
Rory Teague (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)
Tom Wheatcroft* (Ealing & Warwickshire)
Jim Wigglesworth (Hull & Yorkshire)

Denotes
* Represented England Counties in Spring Internationals
^ Represented England Counties on previous tour

Management

Michael Old – Team Manager
Shaun Cassidy – Assistant Team Manager
Jan Bonney – Head Coach
Steve Pope – Assistant Coach
Dr. Andy Smith – Doctor
Rachel Galley – Physiotherapist
Chris Rainbow – Medical support
Emma Kennedy – Media Manager

England Counties Match Statistics

2002 Chile
June 22 – North Region 12 England Counties 38
June 26 – Southern Region 10 England Counties 69
July 1 – Chile 21 England Counties 33

2003 Rumania
June 10 – Rumania A 24 England Counties 26
June 14 – Rumania 45 England Counties 23
June 24 – France Amateurs 26 England Counties 24
December 28 – England Counties 18 France Amateurs 27

2004 Canada
June 14 – Vancouver Island Crimson Tide 0 England Counties 43
June 19 – Rugby Canada Super League All Stars 17 England Counties 38

2005 Uruguay
February 12 – England Counties 38 France Amateurs 0
June 13 – Argentina XV 36 Englnd Counties 10
June 16 – Rosario 0 England Counties 38
June 18 – Uruguay 9 England Counties 29

2006 France
March 11 – France Amateurs 16 England Counties 29
June 3 – England Counties 35 Tunisia 7

2007 Russia and France
February 23 – Ireland Clubs XV 20 England Counties 17
March 10 – England Counties 41 France Amateurs 10
June 7 –Krasnoyarsk 19 England Counties 27
June 12 –VVA Podmoskie 35 England Counties 15
June 16 – Russia 21 England Counties 23
September 6 – in France – England Counties 76 Russia 10
September 10 – England Counties 21 Spain 15
September 13 – France Amateurs 21 England Counties 21

2008 USA
June 6 – USA Select XV 3 England Counties 27
June 9 – USA Select XV 16 England Counties 31
June 13 – Canada Select XV 6 England Counties 31

2009 South Korea and Japan
February 27 – Ireland Clubs XV 13 England Counties 13
March 14 – England Counties XV 19 France Amateurs 27 (Twickenham)
June 5 – Korea President’s XV 10 England Counties 108 in Seoul.
June 8 – East Japan 31 England Counties 67 in Tokyo
June 12 – Yamaha Jubilo 20 England Counties 36 at Yamaha Resort Tsumagoi

2010 Canada
Feb 26 – England Counties XV 29 AIB Ireland Club XV 25
March 13 – France Amateurs 29 England Counties 11
June 4 – The Rock 6 England Counties 20 in St John’s, Newfoundland
June 8 – Ontario Blues 26 England Counties 32 in Toronto
June 12 – British Columbia Bears 7 England Counties 46

2011 Spain
March 18 – Ulster Bank Club International Team 16 England Counties 8
June 4 – Madrid XV 24 England Counties 53
June 8 – Castilla Leon XV 10 England Counties 104
June 11 – Spain 6 England Counties 55

2012
March 16 – England Counties 34 Ulster Bank Ireland International Team 16

Record to March 17, 2012
Played 41 Won 30 Drawn 2 Lost 9

Filed Under: Regional News

Kenya name 35 man provisional squad for C.A.R Cup title defence

June 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Head Coach Michael Otieno has named six new faces in a thirty five man Kenya squad that embarks on preparations for their Confederation of African Rugby (C.A.R) title defense from July 9-15 in Tunis, Tunisia.

The Kang’ethe twins, James and Joseph, Oliver Mang’eni, Charles Omondi,Edwin Machanje and Fabian Olando are the new inclusions in this team that also sees long serving players Joel Ng’ang’a and Peter Mutai retained as Patrice Agunda,Oscar Ouma and Nato Simiyu return after featuring for the national sevens side during the just ended 2011/2012 season.

Kenya:

Front Row:

Joel Ng’ang’a (Quins/Rhinos), Moses Amusala (KCB/Lions),Sammy Warui (Nakuru/Rhinos), Curtis Lilako (KCB/Lions), Dennis Karani, James Kang’ethe, Joseph Kang’ethe (Quins/Rhinos)

Second Row/Lock Forward

Anthony Mutai (Quins/Rhinos), Ronnie Mwenesi (Nondies/Cheetahs), Wilson Kopondo (Quins/Rhinos), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB/Lions)

Flankers

Duncan Ekasi (Impala/Cheetahs), Charles Omondi (Strathmore/Sharks), Brian Nyikuli (Quins/Rhinos), Oscar Ouma (Nakuru), Kevin Umbuge (Impala/Cheetahs)

Number Eight

Lawrence Buyachi (Impala/Cheetahs), Brian Okwomi (Strathmore/Sharks), Edwin Machanje (Mwamba/Lions)

Half Backs

Peter Mutai (KCB/Lions), Edwin Achayo (Quins/Rhinos), Isaac Adimo (Quins/Sharks), Eden Agero (Quins/Rhinos)

Centers

Nick Baraza (Quins/Rhinos), Kelvin Omiyo (Homeboyz/Cheetahs), David Ambunya (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Fabian Olando (KCB/Lions), Maurice Mbai (Strathmore/Sharks), Patrice Agunda (Quins)

Wingers

Dennis Muhanji (Quins/Rhinos),Tony Onyango (Strathmore/ Sharks), Vincent Mose (Impala/Cheetahs)

Fullbacks

Chris Oduor (Quins/Rhinos), Nato Simiyu (Impala)

Filed Under: Regional News
«Older Posts