KCB 57 Kisumu 0 Impala 13 Quins 22 Mwamba 23 Machine 20 Nakuru 32 Homeboyz 10 Nondies 17 Strathmore 33
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Weekend Games
Got them nearly all wrong last weekend. This weekend was to have seen the first round of the Enterprise Cup, but someone seemed to have forgotten the small issue of the English Counties tour to East Africa later this year (if that is really the reason). Anyway Quins jump the fence to Impala, Machine cross the road to Mwamba, Nondies host Strathmore, Kisumu visit the city to face KCB and cross Homeboyz on the way to Nakuru.
Hard to call but here goes. Impala with five over Quins, Mwamba with fifteen over Machine, Strathmore with 3 over Nondies, KCB bonus points over Kisumu and Nakuru five over Homeboyz.
Do enjoy your weekend and your rugby.
Hard to call but here goes. Impala with five over Quins, Mwamba with fifteen over Machine, Strathmore with 3 over Nondies, KCB bonus points over Kisumu and Nakuru five over Homeboyz.
Do enjoy your weekend and your rugby.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Ireland forced to make changes
Declan Kidney has added James Coughlan, Fionn Carr, Craig Gilroy and Jack McGrath to his training squad ahead of Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales.
Kidney has been forced to draft in the four players as Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald, Paddy McAllister and Andrew Conway are all struggling with injuries.
Leinster winger Fitzgerald had been set to feature for the Irish Wolfhounds in their clash with England Saxons on Saturday, but a persistent neck injury means Munster's Simon Zebo, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the weekend Heineken Cup clash with Northampton Saints, has earned a call-up to Ireland's second-string squad. Anyone with rugby free bets should remember this.
Carr, who moved to Leinster last summer after three years with Connacht, has yet to win a cap for Ireland despite being 26 while both McGrath and Gilroy could be promoted to the senior squad if they impress for the Wolfhounds.
Kidney, who named no uncapped players in his initial 24-man squad, said: "There have been some strong performances by players with the provinces going really well.
"It always gives the squad a good boost when we have teams with players playing well in Europe before we step back up into the international scene."
Munster back-row Coughlan has been called into the training squad as Leinster lock Cullen faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs surgery to repair his damaged Achilles.Cullen will now miss the entire Six Nations - although he is hoping to be back in time to feature in Munster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues.
Kidney has been forced to draft in the four players as Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald, Paddy McAllister and Andrew Conway are all struggling with injuries.
Leinster winger Fitzgerald had been set to feature for the Irish Wolfhounds in their clash with England Saxons on Saturday, but a persistent neck injury means Munster's Simon Zebo, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the weekend Heineken Cup clash with Northampton Saints, has earned a call-up to Ireland's second-string squad. Anyone with rugby free bets should remember this.
Carr, who moved to Leinster last summer after three years with Connacht, has yet to win a cap for Ireland despite being 26 while both McGrath and Gilroy could be promoted to the senior squad if they impress for the Wolfhounds.
Kidney, who named no uncapped players in his initial 24-man squad, said: "There have been some strong performances by players with the provinces going really well.
"It always gives the squad a good boost when we have teams with players playing well in Europe before we step back up into the international scene."
Munster back-row Coughlan has been called into the training squad as Leinster lock Cullen faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs surgery to repair his damaged Achilles.Cullen will now miss the entire Six Nations - although he is hoping to be back in time to feature in Munster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues.
Sevens Team Named
The squad to represent the country in the next two legs of the HSBC World Sevens Series has been named. It is as below.
1. Sidney Ashioya - Kenya Harlequin FC - Captain
2. Lavin Asego - Mwamba RFC
3. Collins Injera - Mwamba RFC
4. Victor Oduor - Kenya Harlequin FC
5. Leon Adongo - Kenya Harlequin FC
6. Humphrey Kayange - Mwamba RFC
7. Patrice Agunda - Kenya Harlequin FC
8. Oscar Ouma - Nakuru RFC
9. Linus Simiyu - Impala RFC
10. Michael Wanjala - Strathmore RFC
11. Horace Otieno - Mwamba RFC
12. David Ambunya - South Africa
We wish them well.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Redpath 'delighted' to finish on a high
Gloucester head coach Brian Redpath was delighted with his side's impressive 34-24 victory against Toulouse, which saw the English club finish their Heineken Cup campaign on a high. Going into the game knowing qualification to the quarter-finals was already beyond them, Gloucester knew they could do their Premiership rivals Harlequins a favour by beating Toulouse; thus opening the door for Quins to sneak through to the knockout stage.
While Harlequins failed to take their chance, Gloucester will be pleased with how they ended this season's European campaign, albeit tinged with more than a touch of disappointment that they couldn't have produced this sort of performance on a regular basis. Those looking at the Heineken Cup Betting will know they were never favourites to progress though.
In front of a packed Kingsholm, Gloucester always managed to keep their noses in front, in what was a thrilling and open game. Full-back Jonny May helped himself to a pair of well taken tries, with winger Charlie Sharpless and Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera going over for a score each. Fly-half Freddie Burns was consistently accurate with the boot, kicking 14 points and controlling much of the impressive attacking play of the back-line. Anyone looking at the online betting will have been impressed.
While the victory meant little at the end of the match, Redpath was overjoyed with what he had seen from his team.
"It was a great performance," he said.
"We knew they had picked a big, physical side and we showed them a lot of respect. I thought numbers one to 23 - our substitutes that came on made a big difference as well - were great."
"I am delighted for the boys because we finished off the Heineken Cup in style."
The Scot will be desperately hoping that this victory can be a catalyst for Gloucester to start putting together a decent league run. A poor start to the season has left the club down in eighth, something that Redpath and his staff will be hoping can be amended following this result.
While Harlequins failed to take their chance, Gloucester will be pleased with how they ended this season's European campaign, albeit tinged with more than a touch of disappointment that they couldn't have produced this sort of performance on a regular basis. Those looking at the Heineken Cup Betting will know they were never favourites to progress though.
In front of a packed Kingsholm, Gloucester always managed to keep their noses in front, in what was a thrilling and open game. Full-back Jonny May helped himself to a pair of well taken tries, with winger Charlie Sharpless and Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera going over for a score each. Fly-half Freddie Burns was consistently accurate with the boot, kicking 14 points and controlling much of the impressive attacking play of the back-line. Anyone looking at the online betting will have been impressed.
While the victory meant little at the end of the match, Redpath was overjoyed with what he had seen from his team.
"It was a great performance," he said.
"We knew they had picked a big, physical side and we showed them a lot of respect. I thought numbers one to 23 - our substitutes that came on made a big difference as well - were great."
"I am delighted for the boys because we finished off the Heineken Cup in style."
The Scot will be desperately hoping that this victory can be a catalyst for Gloucester to start putting together a decent league run. A poor start to the season has left the club down in eighth, something that Redpath and his staff will be hoping can be amended following this result.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Kenya Cup Results 210112
Strathmore 44 Kisumu 44 Machine 23 Nakuru 20. Quins 22 Mwamba 21
Impala 15 KCB 15 Nondies 27 Homeboyz 19
Impala 15 KCB 15 Nondies 27 Homeboyz 19
Friday, January 20, 2012
Weekend Games
A belated Happy New Year all. Sorry for my long absence that I cannot explain, but now I'm back. This weekend games thingi is a bit tricky now, what with all the leagues being played all over the place. As usual I will focus on the premier league, the Kenya Cup as I try to understand the hierarchy of the leagues.
In the highlighted game of the weekend, the defending champions Quins host current league leaders Mwamba, Mean Machine host Nakuru, KCB are at home to Impala, Strathmore travel to Kisumu and Homeboyz play Nondies at Jamhuri Park.
The league so far appears to be wide open, but some sides are on the right track, whilst others, let's just say are woeful. In that respect, I give Mwamba a five point win over Quins, Nakuru will pip Machine by a score, KCB with ten points over Impala, Strathmore with fifteen points over Kisumu and Homeboyz by a score over Nondies.
Do have a good weekend and enjoy your rugby.
In the highlighted game of the weekend, the defending champions Quins host current league leaders Mwamba, Mean Machine host Nakuru, KCB are at home to Impala, Strathmore travel to Kisumu and Homeboyz play Nondies at Jamhuri Park.
The league so far appears to be wide open, but some sides are on the right track, whilst others, let's just say are woeful. In that respect, I give Mwamba a five point win over Quins, Nakuru will pip Machine by a score, KCB with ten points over Impala, Strathmore with fifteen points over Kisumu and Homeboyz by a score over Nondies.
Do have a good weekend and enjoy your rugby.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wales hooker Burns to miss Six Nations
Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Lloyd Burns faces a three-month lay-off with a neck injury that will force him to miss Wales' entire Six Nations campaign.
The 27-year-old, who has won seven international caps, featured for Wales at last year's World Cup but is now expected to be sidelined until mid-April. The best rugby union betting odds reflect the fact his loss will be a blow to the side.
"Lloyd has been advised to withdraw from rugby for at least three months in order to fully rehab his neck," confirmed Dragons' rugby director Robert Beale.
"We are obviously disappointed for Lloyd, particularly with the Six Nations coming up, but Lloyd's safety and welfare has to be paramount."
Wales coach Warren Gatland, who will confirm his Six Nations squad later this month, has a wealth of experience and talent to choose from at hooker. Huw Bennett and Ken Owens were involved in the World Cup but Matthew Rees and Richard Hibbard, who missed the tournament because of injury, are now playing again.
Burns' Dragons and Wales colleague, lock Luke Charteris, is also set to miss the Six Nations because of injury, while Charteris' second-row colleague Alun-Wyn Jones is recovering from a toe problem that has threatened his participation.
Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on 5th February.
Meanwhile, flanker Sam Warburton says he will understand if he is not named as captain for the Six Nations.
He impressed when handed the armband at the World Cup after Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees suffered an injury. However, Rees is now back in action, and Warburton admitted: "Matthew was captain for the last Six Nations campaign and did a brilliant job. It was only bad luck why he didn't end up being captain for the World Cup.
"If I did it as a temporary thing I could completely understand that."
The 27-year-old, who has won seven international caps, featured for Wales at last year's World Cup but is now expected to be sidelined until mid-April. The best rugby union betting odds reflect the fact his loss will be a blow to the side.
"Lloyd has been advised to withdraw from rugby for at least three months in order to fully rehab his neck," confirmed Dragons' rugby director Robert Beale.
"We are obviously disappointed for Lloyd, particularly with the Six Nations coming up, but Lloyd's safety and welfare has to be paramount."
Wales coach Warren Gatland, who will confirm his Six Nations squad later this month, has a wealth of experience and talent to choose from at hooker. Huw Bennett and Ken Owens were involved in the World Cup but Matthew Rees and Richard Hibbard, who missed the tournament because of injury, are now playing again.
Burns' Dragons and Wales colleague, lock Luke Charteris, is also set to miss the Six Nations because of injury, while Charteris' second-row colleague Alun-Wyn Jones is recovering from a toe problem that has threatened his participation.
Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on 5th February.
Meanwhile, flanker Sam Warburton says he will understand if he is not named as captain for the Six Nations.
He impressed when handed the armband at the World Cup after Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees suffered an injury. However, Rees is now back in action, and Warburton admitted: "Matthew was captain for the last Six Nations campaign and did a brilliant job. It was only bad luck why he didn't end up being captain for the World Cup.
"If I did it as a temporary thing I could completely understand that."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
England's problems mount
Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi looks set to miss England's Six Nations opener against Scotland after picking up a hamstring injury in the Tigers' recent victory against Worcester.
Leicester's director of rugby Richard Cockerill anticipates that the 20-year-old will be sidelined for at least a month so he seems unlikely to feature in the Calcutta Cup clash on 4th February. However, he could play in the following week's match against Italy.
"Manu will be out for four to six weeks," confirmed Cockerill. "It may be a month depending on how his rehab goes."
Meanwhile, England's off-field problems show no sign of disappearing as Danny Care has been told he will be left out of interim coach Stuart Lancaster's Six Nations squad after being arrested for drink-driving.
England's World Cup campaign last year was beset by a series of scandals and Care has done little to improve the team's image after being arrested in the early hours of New Year's Day, three weeks after he had been fined by police for being drunk and disorderly. People following the best 6 Nations odds should remember this.
The Harlequins scrum-half will plead guilty when he appears in court on 16th January.
Lancaster confirmed: "I've met Danny and told him that he'll not be considered for selection. This is his second arrest in three weeks for alcohol-related offences and it is completely unacceptable.”
Lancaster is due to name his Six Nations squad on 11th January 11.Care missed the World Cup with a foot injury but seemed certain to feature in the Six Nations after producing some fine recent performances for Harlequins.
Quins have fined Care for his latest indiscretion and he will be required to work on their inner-city coaching programme until the end of pre-season 2012-13.
Leicester's director of rugby Richard Cockerill anticipates that the 20-year-old will be sidelined for at least a month so he seems unlikely to feature in the Calcutta Cup clash on 4th February. However, he could play in the following week's match against Italy.
"Manu will be out for four to six weeks," confirmed Cockerill. "It may be a month depending on how his rehab goes."
Meanwhile, England's off-field problems show no sign of disappearing as Danny Care has been told he will be left out of interim coach Stuart Lancaster's Six Nations squad after being arrested for drink-driving.
England's World Cup campaign last year was beset by a series of scandals and Care has done little to improve the team's image after being arrested in the early hours of New Year's Day, three weeks after he had been fined by police for being drunk and disorderly. People following the best 6 Nations odds should remember this.
The Harlequins scrum-half will plead guilty when he appears in court on 16th January.
Lancaster confirmed: "I've met Danny and told him that he'll not be considered for selection. This is his second arrest in three weeks for alcohol-related offences and it is completely unacceptable.”
Lancaster is due to name his Six Nations squad on 11th January 11.Care missed the World Cup with a foot injury but seemed certain to feature in the Six Nations after producing some fine recent performances for Harlequins.
Quins have fined Care for his latest indiscretion and he will be required to work on their inner-city coaching programme until the end of pre-season 2012-13.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Kenya Cup Results 070112
Impala 22 Mwamba 20 KCB 25 Nakuru 25 Quins 10 Nondies 10 Kisumu 21
Homeboyz 22 Machine 8 Strathmore 5
Homeboyz 22 Machine 8 Strathmore 5
Friday, January 6, 2012
Reds crop of 2011 gain recognition
Following last month’s Sports Team of the Year Award being handed to the Queensland Reds, the accolades have continued raining down for the Australian outfit with Ewan McKenzie this week receiving a personal award for the part he has played in coaching the side over the last twelve months.
Last Saturday it was announced in the rugby previews that McKenzie would have the honour of ‘Coach Performer of the Year Award’ bestowed upon him following his team’s recent table-topping heroics, when he guided the Queensland Reds to their first Super Rugby championship, defeating the Crusaders 18-13 in the final at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane back on July 9th.
The online poll included coached plying their trade across all of the country's leading sports, and as such is a huge accomplishment - but McEwan remained philosophical and was keen on keeping his eye on the bigger picture:
“Clearly 2011 was an exceptional year for Queensland Rugby and the Reds. People are proud to call themselves Reds fans again and importantly Rugby has returned to a position of strength, not just in Queensland but across Australia.”
Fans of the Reds and those who like to bet on rugby league will now be hoping that victory in last season’s championship will act as a catalyst for success in the region as McEwan continues to build upon the legacy that he’s built since joining the Reds in 2010. In his debut season he led his new side to fifth place in the league – missing out on a semi-final berth by just two points – but revenge was sweet when they claimed the title just twelve months later.
The Reds will start the defence of their title on February 25th when they will face the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.
Last Saturday it was announced in the rugby previews that McKenzie would have the honour of ‘Coach Performer of the Year Award’ bestowed upon him following his team’s recent table-topping heroics, when he guided the Queensland Reds to their first Super Rugby championship, defeating the Crusaders 18-13 in the final at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane back on July 9th.
The online poll included coached plying their trade across all of the country's leading sports, and as such is a huge accomplishment - but McEwan remained philosophical and was keen on keeping his eye on the bigger picture:
“Clearly 2011 was an exceptional year for Queensland Rugby and the Reds. People are proud to call themselves Reds fans again and importantly Rugby has returned to a position of strength, not just in Queensland but across Australia.”
Fans of the Reds and those who like to bet on rugby league will now be hoping that victory in last season’s championship will act as a catalyst for success in the region as McEwan continues to build upon the legacy that he’s built since joining the Reds in 2010. In his debut season he led his new side to fifth place in the league – missing out on a semi-final berth by just two points – but revenge was sweet when they claimed the title just twelve months later.
The Reds will start the defence of their title on February 25th when they will face the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Pat of all trades
With just nine weeks until the start of the 2012 Super Rugby championship, Brumbies’ utility back Pat McCabe has revealed that neither he nor his new coach Jake White are entirely sure of the role he is set to play in the upcoming tournament.
Following a disappointing 2011 season – in which the Brumbies finished 13th in thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife league with just four wins from their http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsixteen fixtures – McCabe went on to finish the year on a high after seemingly nailing down the No. 12 spot for his country at the World Cup. However, he has been offered no sort of guarantee that he will be handed the same honour for his regional side with Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano preferred at fly-half and inside centre. People who bet on rugby league should remember this.
This would most likely mean a switch to outside centre when the Brumbies get the new campaign underway against Western Force in Canberra on February 24th – but as he admitted this week, it’s not a change that unduly concerns him. Those following the rugby previews need to bear this in mind.
“From speaking with Jake, I'm not sure that I'll be playing 12 at the Brumbies. I asked the other day and he just said to make sure I know how to play 12, 13, 11, 14 and 15 so I have no idea yet – but I'm not too worried.”
McCabe is still in his final stages of recovery following a shoulder injury sustained in New Zealand this autumn in the Wallabies’ World Cup match against USA, but is confident of being fully fit in time for the start of the new season, and should he rediscover the form that kick-started his international career, 2012 should be a far more successful season for the Brumbies.
Following a disappointing 2011 season – in which the Brumbies finished 13th in thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife league with just four wins from their http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsixteen fixtures – McCabe went on to finish the year on a high after seemingly nailing down the No. 12 spot for his country at the World Cup. However, he has been offered no sort of guarantee that he will be handed the same honour for his regional side with Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano preferred at fly-half and inside centre. People who bet on rugby league should remember this.
This would most likely mean a switch to outside centre when the Brumbies get the new campaign underway against Western Force in Canberra on February 24th – but as he admitted this week, it’s not a change that unduly concerns him. Those following the rugby previews need to bear this in mind.
“From speaking with Jake, I'm not sure that I'll be playing 12 at the Brumbies. I asked the other day and he just said to make sure I know how to play 12, 13, 11, 14 and 15 so I have no idea yet – but I'm not too worried.”
McCabe is still in his final stages of recovery following a shoulder injury sustained in New Zealand this autumn in the Wallabies’ World Cup match against USA, but is confident of being fully fit in time for the start of the new season, and should he rediscover the form that kick-started his international career, 2012 should be a far more successful season for the Brumbies.
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