Lions' Archives

Home ground: RFUEA, Nairobi
Tier 1 Teams: KCB, Mwamba
Tier 2 Teams: KEMU, Kimathi, Thika, Oryx

Lions,Cheetahs name squads for third place playoff match

June 1, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

The Lions and the SDV Transami Cheetahs have declared their squads for the third place playoff match as the 10th edition of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series draws to a close on Saturday 2 June 2012 at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds.

Action between the Lions and Cheetahs from Match Day Three

The Lions, who pushed defending champions UAP Rhinos all the way, falling to a 20-19 semi final defeat at the RFUEA last weekend, have made four changes to last weekend’s starting line, bringing on Brian Otieno, Anthony Ogot, Chris Asego and Matthew Musita for Oliver Mang’eni, Dennis Mwanja,Lavin Asego who are rested for this tie and Patrick Oduong’ who starts off the bench.

The Cheetahs also make three changes to the starting fifteen who fell to a 25-0 defeat to Dimension Data Rwenzori in Kampala last weekend, bringing on Elisha Okello, Augustine Lugonzo and Ian Minjire on for Joseph Mutisya, Peter Ocholla who are rested for this tie and Oscar Ayodi who starts off the bench.

This match kicks off at 1.30 East African Time and will be televised live on Supersport 9 East.

Lions: 15. Matthew Musita, 14. Darwin Mukidza, 13. Fabian Olando, 12. Brian Omondi, 11.Collins Injera (captain), 10. Chris Asego, 9. Peter Mutai, 8.Edwin Machanje, 7.Anthony Ogot, 6.Ian Indimuli, 5.Brian Otieno, 4.Dan Sikuta, 3.Moses Amusala, 2.Salaton Muturi, 1.Curtlow Lilako Reserves :22. Mark Okwaro, 21. Patrick Oduong, 20. Collins Kimani, 19.Joseph Oriwo, 18.Brian Sagara, 17.Francis Akatu, 16.Joel Sang’

Cheetahs: 15.Vincent Mose, 14.Ian Minjire, 13.Tony Nyandigisi, 12.Kelvin Omiyo, 11.David Dinda, 10.Augustine Lugonzo, 9.Moses Kola, 8.Lawi Buyachi, 7.John Ouko, 6.Duncan Ekasi (captain), 5.Kevin Umbuge, 4.Ronnie Mwenesi, 3.Frank Ndong, 2.Elisha Okello, 1.Keith Kibira Reserves: 22.Oscar Ayodi, 21.Michael Mugo, 20. Steve Sakwa, 19.Polycarp Odhiambo,18.Davis Makori, 17.Ezekiel Chege, 16.Steve Juma

Filed Under: Cheetahs, Lions, Super Series News

Lions and Cheetahs paths to third place play off

May 31, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

Match Day One

Saturday 5th May 2012
The Lions,who crashed out of the tournament at the preliminary stage in 2011, began their campaign with an emphatic 45-6 win away to the Coastal Bulls in Mombasa as the SDV Transami Cheetahs, also playing out of Pool A, rallied from a 6-7 deficit to edge the Nguvu Sharks 11-7 at the RFUEA Grounds.

Match Day Two
Saturday 12th May 2011
Up next for the the Lions was a make or break fixture against the Sharks, who had scuttled their campaign in 2011 with a 32-25 come from behind win. The Lions were in uncompromising form, bossing this one and running away with the 15-8 result at the Red Lion that all but secured their passage to the semi finals with a match to spare. The SDV Transami Cheetahs made minced meat of the Coast Bulls, subjecting them to a 50-10 defeat at the same venue, setting up a top of the table clash against the Lions on match day three.

Match Day Three
Saturday 19th May 2011
With semi final qualification already secured, the big cats were playing for positions and it is the Lions who emerged victorious, their 24-15 win over the Cheetahs seeing them remain in Nairobi for the semis against defending champions Rhinos as the Cheetahs now had to make the +700km road trip to Kampala for the semi final clash against Rwenzori.

Match Day Four
Semi Finals
Saturday 26th May 2011

The Lions found themselves trailing 5-0 to the Rhinos courtesy of a Brian Nyikuli try early in their semi final encounter at the RFUEA before big Ed Machanje leveled for the Lions. Tries from Victor Sudi and Les Libasia saw the Lions fall 5-15 behind before Fabian Olando’s boot secured nine points for the Lions before Darwin Mukidza took them 19-15 ahead. They conceded a late Wilson Kopondo try that eventually sunk them, this despite the Lions hogging possession for the latter part of the match.

Match Day Five

Play off

Lions v SDV Transami Cheetahs

Third place is up for grabs. The Lions had a god run and would like to crown this with a podium finish. The Cheetahs would also love to end this tournament on a high.

Lions Players to watch
Dennis Mwanja, Collins Injera,Dan Sikuta,Lavin Asego, Fabian Olando

Leading try scorers:
Dennis Mwanja, Dennis Ombachi 2 tries

Leading Points Scorer
Fabian Olando 1 try 7 conversions, 8 conversions (43 points)

SDV Transami Cheetahs Players to watch
Lawrence Buyachi, Kevin Umbuge, Tony Nyandigisi, Kelvin Omiyo, Vincent Mose

Top Try Scorer
Vincent Mose 3 tries

Top Points Scorer
Vincent Mose 3 tries, 7 conversions, 1 penalty (32 points)

Filed Under: Cheetahs, Lions, Super Series News

Fun facts and figures

May 30, 2012 by Michael Kwambo 1 Comment

Saturday 2 June 2012 sees the curtains fall on the 10th edition of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series. We share a few fun facts and figures ahead of Saturday’s final.

The Rhinos are the most successful side in Rugby Super Series history to date, playing in seven previous finals,lifting the title five times. They are the only team to have successfully defended the title after beat the Cheetahs 25-5 to lift the 2010 title and are the first team to lift the title three times in a row, again beating the Cheetahs 20-15 in sudden death extra time in the 2011 final.

The Lions boast the unenviable record of most losses in a Rugby Super Series final.They lost four consecutive Rugby Super Series title matches between 2004 and 2007, eventually claiming their only title in 2008 with the biggest winning margin in an RSS final, a 33-9 win over the Rhinos.

The Cheetahs have won their only Rugby Super Series titles in even numbered years, 2004 and 2006.

The Buffaloes won the 2005 Rugby Super Series title, their only title to date.

Rwenzori is the first Ugandan side to go beyond the semi finals in four attempts since Uganda sides entered the Bamburi Rugby Super Series in 2009.

Daniel Kiptoo, Joel Ng’ang’a and Vincent Ongera (Rhinos) are the second most decorated players in Bamburi Rugby Super Series history, having featured on the title winning squads in 2003, 2007,2009,2010 and 2011. Ongera and Kiptoo are absent from this year’s event but Ng’ang’a has an opportunity to lift the trophy for a sixth time if his Rhinos side emerge victorious in Saturday’s final against Uganda’s Rwenzori, who are making their maiden appearance in a BRSS final.

Victor Sudi is the most decorated player in BRSS history, winning the title with the Cheetahs in 2004 and 2006, adding titles in 2007,2009,2010 and 2011 after moving to the Rhinos. He will be out to lift a seventh career BRSS crown

Previous Rugby Super Series 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 (this match was decided in sudden death extra time after both sides were tied 15-15 at the end of regulation time)

Filed Under: Buffaloes, Cheetahs, Features, Lions, Rhinos, Rwenzori

Four way tie atop try scorers chart

May 27, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

Four players are tied atop the Bamburi Rugby Super Series try scorers chart heading into its final weekend on Saturday 2 June 2012. The Dimension Data Rwenzori duo of Steve Ogwete and Marvin Odongo, UAP Rhinos Wilson Kopondo and the Mumias Sugar Buffaloes Bram Shikanda have each scored four tries each. With Shikanda’s Buffaloes playing no further part in the BRSS after their round one elimination, it will be interesting to see where the top try scorer’s award goes to as three players, Ogwete, Odongo (Rwenzori) and Kopondo (Rhinos) can all claim it as their teams will complete for the ultimate prize, the 10th Bamburi Rugby Super Series title in the championship match slated for Saturday at Nairobi’s RFUEA grounds.

Fabian Olando from the Lions remains perched atop the overall points scorers chart, his three penalties in the Lions 20-19 semi final loss to the Lions stretching his points tally to 43, eleven clear of second place Vincent Mose from the SDV Transami Cheetahs. Anthony Kinene from Dimension Data Rwenzori is placed third on 29 points.

Bamburi Rugby Super Series 2012
Top try scorers
4. Marvin Odongo, Steve Ogwete (Dimension Data Rwenzori), Wilson Kopondo (UAP Rhinos), Bram Shikanda (Mumias Sugar Buffaloes)
3. Vincent Mose (SDV Transami Cheetahs), Brian Nyikuli (UAP Rhinos), Edwin Salamba (Nguvu Sharks)
2. Edwin Makori, Dennis Muhanji, Victor Sudi (UAP Rhinos), Darwin Mukidza, Dennis Ombachi, Dennis Mwanja,Dan Sikuta (Lions), Tony Nyandigisi (SDV Transami Cheetahs)

36 other players have scored one try each

Top points scorers

43 Fabian Olando (Lions) 1 try, 7 conversions, 8 penalties
32 Vincent Mose (SDV Transami Cheetahs) 3 tries, 7 conversions, 1 penalty
29 Anthony Kinene (Dimension Data Rwenzori) 7 conversions, 5 penalties
21 Eden Agero (UAP Rhinos), George Oduor (Mumias Sugar Buffaloes) 6 conversions, 3 penalties
20 Steve Ogwete, Marvin Odongo (Dimension Data Rwenzori), Wilson Kopondo (UAP Rhinos), Bram Shikanda (Mumias Sugar Buffaloes) 4 tries
16 Philip Wokorach (KCB Victoria) 2 conversions, 1 drop goal, 3 penalties
15 Brian Nyikuli (UAP Rhinos), Edwin Salamba (Nguvu Sharks) 3 tries

Filed Under: Buffaloes, Cheetahs, Lions, Rhinos, Rwenzori, Sharks, Super Series News, Victoria

Lions, Rhinos declare their semi final squads

May 25, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

With the 10th edition of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series entering its semi final phase this weekend, the two sides facing each other in the all Kenyan semi at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on Saturday 26 May 2012 have declared their match day squads.
Collins Injera of the Lions leaves his markers behind

The Lions, who have been listed as the home team by virtue of finishing top of Pool A during the league phase of the tournament, make two changes to their starting fifteen, introducing Ian Indimuli at open side flanker in place of Anthony Ogot who is out serving a one match ban
Steve Sewe starts on the bench, replacing Collins Kimani who has been rested for this fixture.

UAP Rhinos

The UAP Rhinos, the reigning champions, have made four changes to the side that booked their semi final berth with a 25-18 win over the Mumias Sugar Buffaloes last weekend, a result that saw them qualify in second place from Pool B. Dennis Abenga starts ahead of Sammy Warui at hooker, Tony Mutai comes in for Mike Okombe, Martin Muita replaces the injured Edwin Achayo with Eric Moachache replacing Dennis Muhanji, who left the match against the Buffaloes with a suspected rib injury.
This match kicks off at 4.00pm

LIONS
15. Patrick Oduong,14. Darwin Mukidza, 13.Fabian Olando, 12. Brian Omondi, 11. Collins Injera, 10. Lavin Asego, 9. Peter Mutai, 8. Edwin Machanje, 7. Ian Indimuli, 6. Dennis Mwanja (captain), 5. Oliver Mang’eni, 4. Dan Sikuta, 3.Moses Amusala, 2.Salaton Muturi, 1. Curtis Lilako
RESERVES: 22: Dennis Ombachi, 21. Matthew Musita, 20. Steve Sewe. 19. Joseph Oriwo, 18. Brian Otieno, 17. Francis Akatu 16. Joel Sang’

UAP RHINOS
15. Chris Oduor, 14. Calvin Otieno, 13.Eric Mochache, 12.Nick Baraza, 11. Victor Sudi, 10. Eden Agero, 9. Martin Muita, 8.Leslie Libasia, 7.Brian Nyikuli, 6.Tony Mutai, 5. Wilson Kopondo, 4. Edwin Makori, 3.Joseph Kangethe, 2.Dennis Abenga, 1. Joel Nganga
RESERVES: 22. Meshack Ochieng’, 21. Ian Chewaini, 20. Geoffrey Mbea, 19.Nick Lang’o, 18.Joseph Kangethe, 17. Dennis Karani, 16. Sammy Warui

Filed Under: Headlines, Lions, Rhinos, Super Series News

Olando leads points scorers heading into semis

May 22, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

Lions utility back Fabian Olando now leads the points scorers charts after match day three at the 10th edition of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series. Olando, playing in his third BRSS, has accumulated 34 points coming off one try, seven conversions and five penalties. His career BRSS points tally since his first appearance in 2010 is 52 points.Vincent Mose of the SDV Transami Cheetahs is placed second with 27 points coming off two tries, seven conversions and one penalty. Dimension Data Rwenzori’s Anthony comes in third on 24 points courtesy of six penalties and four conversions while Eden Agero (UAP Rhinos) and George Oduor (Mumias Sugar Buffaloes) are joint fourth on 21 points, both having slotted home six conversions and three penalties.

The tournament’s top try scorers Steve Ogwete (Dimension Data Rwenzori) and Bramwell Shikanda (Mumias Sugar Buffaloes) lie fifth on the overall points standings with 20 points coming off a tournament leading four tries. KCB Victoria’s Philip Wokorach is sixth with 16 points, having scored two conversions, one drop goal and three penalties.

Marvin Odongo (Dimension Data Rwenzori), Edwin Salamba (Nguvu Sharks) and Wilson Kopondo (UAP Rhinos) have all touched down thrice, their 15 points placing them joint seventh on the overall points scorers chart.

Filed Under: Lions, Super Series News

Cheetahs, Lions book semi final berths

May 13, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

Nguvu Sharks battle the Lions. Photo Copyright: BRSS/Billy Mugambi

The SDV Transami Cheetahs and the Lions become the first teams to qualify for the semi finals of the 10th edition of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series after winning their second group matches on Saturday 12 May 2012 at the Jamhuri Park in Nairobi.
Pool A
The Cheetahs, leading 26-0 at half time, ran off with a 50-10 win over visiting Coastal Bulls, scoring eight tries and six conversions. Anthony Nyandigisi landed two tries while Kelvin Omiyo, Oscar Ayodi, Frank Ndong, Sidney Asamba, Vincent Mose and Augustine Lugonzo scored a try each. Mose added six conversions.
The Bulls responded with a Steve Matioli try and Marlon Ondiege’s penalty and conversion.
The second match saw the Lions register a 15-8 win over the Nguvu Sharks. Dennis Mwanja’s early try, converted by Fabian Olando saw the Lions take a 7-0 lead before Isaac Adimo reduced the deficit for the Sharks with a penalty to make it 7-3. It was a close first half contest with no further points and the teams went into the interval with the scores remaining the same.
Second half action saw the Lions make a foray into Sharks territory, winning a penalty that Olando drilled home to extend the lead to 10-3 before Edwin Salamba broke for the Sharks, touching down in the corner to bring the scores to 10-8. A late Dennis Ombachi try sealed the game for the Lions, who won their second consecutive group game and booked a semi final berth with one match to spare.

Pool B
Dimension Data Rwenzori pulled off a 17-15 win over defending champions UAP Rhinos in Kampala, a result that sees them have one foot in the semis while the second Ugandan side in the competition, KCB Victoria, registered a 17-7 away win over hosts Mumias Sugar Buffaloes in Mumias, a result that revives their semi final chances.
Collated Results
Bamburi Rugby Super Series 2012
Match Day Two Results:
Pool A:
SDV Transami Cheetahs 50 Coastal Bulls 10
Lions 15 Nguvu Sharks 8

Pool B:
Dimension Data Rwenzori 17 UAP Rhinos 15
Mumias Sugar Buffaloes 7 KCB Victoria 17

Filed Under: Cheetahs, Headlines, Lions, Super Series News

Big wins for UAP Rhinos and Lions on Match Day 1

May 6, 2012 by Peter Ndonga Leave a Comment

Chris Oduor dives to score for the UAP Rhinos against the KCB Victoria. Photo Copyright: BRSS/Billy Mugambi

The 10th edition of the Bamburi rugby super series kicked off with four matches taking place in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kampala on Saturday 5 May 2012.

In Nairobi last year’s finalists the SDV Transami Cheetahs snatched a narrow 11-7 win from the jaws of the Nguvu Sharks. The Sharks had taken the early lead through an Edwin Salamba try, the Cheetahs replied through a Steve Sakwa penalty to narrow the gap to 7-3, the soggy RFUEA pitch made the encounter a scrappy affair with ball handling errors being the order of the day. The game would go into the half with the scores at 7-3 with no side being able to completely dominate proceedings.

The Second half was still a see saw affair, but the Cheetahs were slowly imposing themselves on the game courtesy of their forwards. This pressure by the Cheetahs would finally pay off when Steve Sakwa slotted in his second penalty of the day to bring the score to 7-6. With the half winding down the Sharks looked like they had done enough to sneak away with the win but the Cheetahs had other ideas in mind. They would win a line out deep in Sharks territory before slowly mauling it to the line to make the scores 11-7.

In Kampala, Dimension Data Rwenzori started their 2012 campaign with a 43-31 win over the Mumias Sugar Buffaloes, Rwenzori who led 33-10 at the half had to hold off a spirited second half performance from the Buffaloes to secure this victory.

In Mombasa the Coastal Bulls had taken the early lead through a penalty before the Lions crawled back through tries from Dan Sikuta, Mike Omondi, Dennis Ombachi among others to win the game 45-6.

The second game at the RFUEA saw defending champions UAP Rhinos start their title defence with a commanding 46-9 win over KCB Victoria. It was the visitors who started off on the front foot, pinning the Rhinos inside their 22 in the early exchanges. The Rhinos would however find their footing and immediately take the lead via a Dennis Muhanji try, Eden Agero successfully converting it to make the scores 7-0 to the Rhinos.

The hosts now with the momentum would win a penalty which Agero drove just wide, they would continue to pile the pressure on their visitors winning another penalty this time Agero making no mistake to make the score 10-0.The Victoria would try to turn the tide winning a penalty which teenager Philip Wokorach slotted in to make the scores 10-3.

The Rhinos would further stretch their lead Leslie Libasia doing great to brush off a couple of tackles before offloading to Brian Nyikuli who grounded the ball to make 17-3, Agero with the conversion. The Rhinos would further stretch their lead before the half time whistle with a try from Edwin Makori who grounded the ball after a Rhino’s maul, Agero taking the scores to 24-3 at the half time break.

The Rhinos would pick up from where they left off in the first half, Brian Nyikuli scoring his second of the day and the Rhinos’ 4th, to make the scores 29-3. Dennis Abenga would cement the Rhinos dominance with a try on 60 minutes to take the scores to 34-3 before the Victoria scored from two penalties by Wokorach making it 34-9. Rhinos duo of Calvin Otieno and Chris Oduor would put the match beyond doubt with a try each, Ian Chewaini converting one of the tries to take the scores to 46-9 at the final whistle.

Match Day 1 Collated Results:

SDV Transami Cheetahs 11 Nguvu Sharks 7

Dimension Data Rwenzori 43 Mumias Sugar Buffaloes 31

Coastal Bulls 6 Lions 45

UAP Rhinos 46 KCB Victoria 9

Filed Under: Buffaloes, Cheetahs, Coastal Bulls, Headlines, Lions, Rhinos, Rwenzori, Sharks, Super Series News, Victoria

2012 Squad

April 23, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

Lions

1 SALATON MUTURI (MWAMBA)
2 MORGAN MUINDE (MWAMBA)
3 FRANCIS AKATU (MWAMBA)
4 MOSES AMUSALA (KCB)
5 JOEL SANG (KCB)
6 DAN SIKUTA (MWAMBA)
7 BRIAN OTIENO (MWAMBA)
8 DENNIS MWANJA (KCB)
9 ANTHONY OGOT (KCB)
10 JOSEPH ORIWO (MWAMBA)
11 SAGARA BRIAN (KCB)
12 IAN INDIMULI (KCB)
13 EDWIN MACHANJE (MWAMBA)
14 OLIVER MANGENI (KCB)
15 PETER MUTAI (KCB)
16 STEVE SEWE (MWAMBA)
17 COLLINS KIMANI (KCB)
18 CHRIS ASEGO (MWAMBA)
19 KEVIN WAMBUA (MWAMBA)
20 DENNIS OMBACHI (MWAMBA)
21 BRIAN OMONDI (KCB)
22 FABIAN OLANDO (KCB)
23 GEORGE WAKASYAKA (MWAMBA)
24 MICHAEL OMONDI (KCB)
25 DARWIN MUKIDZA (KCB)
26 MARK OKWARO (MWAMBA)
27 PATRICK ODUONG (MWAMBA)
28 CURTIS LILAKO (KCB)
29 MATHEW MUSITA (KCB)
30 LAVIN ASEGO (MWAMBA)

Filed Under: Franchises, Lions

Lions Profile

April 18, 2012 by Michael Kwambo Leave a Comment

Lions

The Lions were losing finalists in 2004, 2005,2006 and 2007. They finally won the 2008 Bamburi Rugby Super Series under Bill Githinji when they beat the Rhinos in the final.

Filed Under: Franchises, Lions