Kenya Sevens speedster Patrick Odongo produced a standout performance, scoring a spectacular hat-trick of tries to inspire Daystar Falcons to a 25-18 victory over Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Cougars in the 2026 Impala Floodlights final at the Impala Club on Saturday, 31 October.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Falcons, who were seeking their first-ever Impala Floodlights crown, rose to the occasion in a fiercely contested encounter to secure another milestone in their rise through Kenyan rugby.The victory marks Daystar’s first major 15s title since March 2025, when they clinched the 2024/25 Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship to earn promotion to the Kenya Cup.Second-half brilliance propels Mwamba Ladies to 5th consecutive Impala Floodlit titleTheir triumph came at the expense of a JKUAT side that had enjoyed an impressive run of form in recent seasons. The Cougars had won the Impala Varsity title last year, beating USIU 31-23, before going on to secure promotion to the Kenya Cup. They further underlined their credentials by lifting the Mwamba Cup with a commanding 60-12 victory over Mombasa.The Athi River-based Falcons, however, proved too strong on the afternoon, with Odongo leading the charge in a memorable performance.##NAJAVA_MECA_10076435##JKUAT made the brighter start, opening the scoring just three minutes into the contest through Erick Muru, who crossed the whitewash to give the Cougars a 5-0 lead.Smith Muhoya then added a penalty five minutes later to stretch their advantage to 8-0, putting Daystar under early pressure.The Falcons responded impressively, with Clinton Amukwachi getting them on the scoreboard in the 11th minute after finishing off a well-executed cross-kick from Eddy Wambugu.Former Kenya International on why Shujaa performs better than Kenya SimbasFour minutes later, Daystar completed their comeback when Odongo finished a slick move off the scrum to score their second try and hand them a 10-8 lead.Both teams subsequently tightened their defensive lines, with neither side able to add to the score before the interval as the contest developed into a battle for territory and possession.Daystar returned from the break with renewed intensity and extended their advantage in the 56th minute when Odongo crossed for his second try of the evening. Wambugu, however, could not convert the subsequent penalty attempt, leaving the score at 15-8.##NAJAVA_MECA_10076443##The Cougars refused to surrender, with Davies Masinga touching down in the 64th minute to bring JKUAT back into contention.But Daystar had an immediate response. Wambugu broke through the Cougars’ defensive line shortly afterwards to score and restore the Falcons’ advantage at 20-13.Odongo then delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd minute, completing his hat-trick to take Daystar’s tally to 25 points and put them firmly in control of the final.Kenya Sevens ace Kevin Wekesa receives prestigious award from United NationsJKUAT managed a late consolation try following a missed penalty attempt by Davies, but it was not enough to derail Daystar’s charge as the Falcons held on for a historic 25-18 victory.
50