Laiser Hill Academy, Bokoli Boys and St. Anthony's Kitale opened their 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two Games campaigns with impressive victories as the race for the Rugby Sevens titles got underway.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe opening day of rugby action in Thika saw several former champions underline their credentials, while a number of emerging sides also announced themselves with commanding performances in both the boys' and girls' competitions.Former champions Laiser Hill wasted little time staking their claim. The Rift Valley representatives comfortably beat Coast Region's Tononoka Secondary School 38-5 to launch their campaign in style.KSSSA: Inside Kirangari fly-half’s plan to use rugby to rescue mother from restaurant workWestern Region champions Bokoli Boys also enjoyed a perfect opening day, recording back-to-back victories to move to the top of their pool. Bokoli defeated Nyanza representatives Anjego 21-5 before producing another dominant display to beat Eastern Region's All Saints Embu 28-5.St. Anthony's Kitale, another side tipped to challenge for honours, also made it two wins from two matches. After edging Central Region's Kirangari 24-0 in their opening fixture, the Rift Valley outfit followed it up with a hard-fought 14-5 victory over Nairobi School to remain unbeaten.Upper Hill School, champions in 2016 and 2019, also began positively. The Nairobi representatives edged All Saints Embu 7-0 before surviving a stern examination from Anjego to secure a 19-14 victory and maintain their unbeaten record.##NAJAVA_MECA_9877061##Western Region runners-up Butula Boys opened with a convincing 33-7 victory over Kamuiru before grinding out a 10-0 win against Kwale High School, strengthening their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.Cardinal Otunga Mosocho, representing Nyanza, claimed a narrow but valuable 7-5 victory over Eastern Region champions Kitondo School in one of the day's closest contests.Elsewhere, Central Region champions Njabini suffered mixed fortunes. They lost 21-0 to Nairobi School before Kirangari bounced back to defeat them 24-5 later in the day.Kabras Sugar land first Dala Sevens title in nine years after handing Menengai rugby lessonsKamuiru recovered from their opening defeat to Butula by overcoming Mutige 22-7, while Kwale High School also fell short against Butula after beating Mutige 26-5 in their first outing.Girls' RugbyIn the girls' competition, defending champions Kinale Girls showed why they remain among the favourites to retain the title.The Central Region champions overwhelmed Gituamba 36-0 before producing an even more dominant display in their second fixture, beating Muvuti 50-7 to complete a perfect opening day.##NAJAVA_MECA_9875966##Former champions St. Joseph's Girls Kitale, who won the inaugural two national titles before surrendering the crown to Kinale last year, also made a statement.The Rift Valley champions beat Mwatate 36-0 before defeating Nyanza representatives Sigoti Girls 12-0 to remain unbeaten.Western Region champions Kimobo Girls were equally impressive, recording consecutive shutout victories. They defeated Muvuti 31-0 before overcoming Gituamba 29-0 to finish the day without conceding a point.Kabras youngster Rayvon Ambale recounts six-month injury battle after dream returnRift Valley representatives Itigo Girls also enjoyed a flawless start, defeating Sigoti Girls 26-0 before overcoming Mwatate 20-7 to stay firmly in contention for a semifinal berth.Coast Region champions Moi Forces Girls continued their impressive regional form with a comprehensive 29-0 victory over Karima Girls.One of the day's standout performances came from Nyagichenche Girls. After losing 17-10 to Eastern Region champions St. Teresa in a tightly contested encounter, the Nyanza side bounced back emphatically by beating Gatundu 36-5 to keep their qualification hopes alive.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872958##Karen C Girls also opened their campaign with a convincing 24-0 victory over Gatundu, highlighting the competitive nature of the girls' tournament.With the opening day complete, several of the pre-tournament favourites have already strengthened their credentials.Laiser Hill, Upper Hill, Bokoli, Butula and St. Anthony remain firmly on course in the boys' championship, while defending champions Kinale, former champions St. Joseph's Girls Kitale, Kimobo and Itigo have laid down early markers in the girls' competition.Andrew Amonde reveals when Nyangige and Amaitsa could make KCB debutAs the preliminary rounds continue, attention will shift to the decisive pool matches that will determine which teams progress to the knockout stages and remain in the hunt for the 2026 KSSSA Rugby Sevens titles.
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