Kisii School made history on Thursday by winning their first-ever East African Rugby 15s championship, edging out defending champions and archrivals All Saints Embu in a tense 11-6 showdown at the Bull Ring Stadium in Kakamega County.
The tense game, which was a Kenyan affair, saw the two rugby giants battle fiercely, with Kisii School, the national silver medallists, finally toppling All Saints to claim the regional glory.
The match opened with early action as Matrix Matangi, later named Most Valuable Player (MVP), converted a third-minute penalty to give Kisii a 3-0 lead. Josphat Karanja responded swiftly for All Saints, leveling the score at 3-3 just three minutes later.
Matangi struck again in the 18th minute, reclaiming the lead for Kisii with another successful kick. But Karanja matched the effort, tying the game at 6-6, a scoreline that held until halftime.
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The second half proved decisive. Isaac Mageto broke the deadlock with the only try of the match, pushing Kisii ahead 11-6. From there, Kisii’s defensive discipline and relentless carries kept All Saints at bay, sealing a landmark victory.
Speaking after the match, team captain Charles Obiero credited the win to the squad’s fighting spirit and unwavering motivation. “We came here with one goal, to make history. Everyone gave their all,” he said.
Kisii School’s head coach Lee Aston was visibly elated, describing the win as a triumph of belief and hard work. “Nobody expected us to be in this final, but we’ve proven that rugby excellence lives in Nyanza,” Aston said.
The victory marks a major milestone for Kisii School, who have steadily climbed the ranks of school rugby in recent years.
By Masaki Enock
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