Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championships side Eldoret RFC are hoping to return to the top flight league Kenya Cup next season.
With fixtures already out for the 15s season set to kick off on November 26, the Eldoret-based club has been putting up spirited efforts to return to the top-flight league, where they last played in 2013.
Team manager Billy Ochieng said they finished in position eight last season but they want to try this time to make it to the top to secure a chance to play with the big boys in the country.
Speaking during their Victoria Cup victory against Kitale RFC over the weekend, Ochieng said the club has set some measures to secure a top finish.
“Today, the boys were up to the task and we managed to beat Kitale in this tournament,” said Ochieng.
He revealed that they have a strong front row and they are working on the backline because they are lacking in basics and a strong mentality.
“We need some good structure and build-up because this is a team sport that requires teamwork. We have to work out to ensure these boys play together as a team,” he added.
Ochieng said their target is to improve on last year's eighth position and finish in the top three.
“We want the top three in our coming season as we seek to play in the Kenya Cup. It has been a while since we played top-flight rugby. This being our first win in the pre-season tournament, we hope to do our best to win the title. We want to carry that cup,” he commented on the inaugural Western region pre-Season Lake Victoria Cup tournament.
Eldoret RFC narrowly beat fellow championship side, Kitale 17-15 to progress and will face Kenya Cup side, MMUST who were handed a bye alongside Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar.
The tournament has three clusters with Eldoret RFC had been drawn against UoE, Kitale RFC and Moi University in the Eldoret-based group. However, Moi University withdrew from the tournament handing UOE a ticket to the quarterfinals.
In other weekend results, Vihiga Granite lost 31-12 to Mbale, former Kenya Cup side Kisumu shone over Siaya 69-0 while Bungoma lost 44-05 to Western Bulls.
Kabras and MMUST were handed a bye in the initial stages in the Kakamega region and will play in the quarterfinals. The region also had Western Bulls, Bungoma, Mbale, and Vihiga Granites in the region.
Quarterfinal pairing
Q1. Mbale vs Kabras (Kakamega)
Q2. Kisumu vs Kisii (Kisumu)
Q3 MMUST vs Eldoret (Kakamega)
Q4. Western Bulls vs U.O.E (Kakamega )
