Strathmore Leos Gabriel Ayimba tries to stop KCB's Elvis Olukusi during the Driftwood Sevens match in Mombasa/HANDOUT Strathmore Leos' coach Willis Ojal wants the team to improve their defensive efficiency despite winning the Prinsloo Sevens leg in Nakuru on Sunday.
Ojal's charges conceded a miserly five tries from six matches, but the tactician wants his side to ramp up their defensive intensity for the remaining four legs, starting with the Christie Sevens in a fortnight.
"Defensively, I believe we can get better. It was encouraging that we kept a clean sheet in the quarter and semifinal, and I believe we can improve our defensive alignment and be quicker in the transitions,” noted Ojal.
Ojal has also roped in former Kenya Sevens, Charles Cadovillis, to the technical bench, and his inclusion in the side has been tremendous. Cadovillis is also a former Kabras and Quins coach.
“ Cadovillis brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the side, and he has complemented whatever we are doing with the team," noted Ojal.
The former Nondies coach was full of praise for the side after a narrow defeat to the bankers in the Driftwood Sevens, where they lost to the bankers 15-14.
“I loved the mental fortitude and courage we showed in Nakuru after the tough loss to KCB in Mombasa. We believed in ourselves and the tweaks we made in attack paid off as we won the tournament,” observed Ojal.
The Leos started the tournament with a 26-5 win over Daystar before making light work of Zetech Oaks, winning 38-0. They, however, fell short in the final pool game to Menengai Oilers, where they lost 19-7 to finish second in the pool.
In the quarterfinal, they dispatched series champions Quins 33-0 before thrashing Catholic University Monks 40-0 in the semifinals and then, in a soaked final, blitzed KCB 26-7 to retain the title.
Speedstar Victor Mola bagged the top try and points scorer award with eight tries and 40 points. Leos face host Quins, Zetech Oaks, and an invitational side in Pool A for the Christie Sevens. KCB will be up against Mwamba, Nondies and Blak Blad in Pool D.
Oilers, Kabras, and Daystar Falcons face off in Pool C, while Catholic Monks, Nakuru and Impala will form Pool B.
