FINGERS CROSSED

Weru aims for strong finish as Sevens Circuit heads for climax

Oilers were on the backfoot the previous two legs, Prinsloo and Christie Sevens, and coach Gibson Weru believes a strong finish will be key.

In Summary

• Weru's charges started with a fifth-place finish at the Dala Sevens, lost 10-7 to Kabras in the final at Driftwood and finished fourth at the Prinsloo edition after losing 22-10 to KCB in the third-place playoff.

• Weru hopes forward  Steve Arunga will be back for the final two legs of the series. 

Menengai Oilers Beldad Ogeta escapes from KCB's Samuel Asati during the Driftwood sevens
Menengai Oilers Beldad Ogeta escapes from KCB's Samuel Asati during the Driftwood sevens
Image: HANDOUT

Menengai Oilers are targeting a strong finish as the national Sevens circuit head for the last two legs this season.

Oilers were on the backfoot the previous two legs, Prinsloo and Christie Sevens, and coach Gibson Weru believes a strong finish will be key.

The Nakuru-based outfit are the defending champions but have found the going tough to sit fourth on the log with 56 points.

They are out of contention for the title but Weru still wants improved displays.

“It's been an up-and-down campaign but the boys are determined to finish the season strongly. With points up for grabs, we have to give our best shot,” said Weru

Weru's charges started with a fifth-place finish at the Dala Sevens, lost 10-7 to Kabras in the final at Driftwood and finished fourth at the Prinsloo edition after losing 22-10 to KCB in the third-place playoff.

At the Christie Sevens eight days ago, they finished eighth.

Weru, a former international playmaker wants his charges to show consistency with 44 points up for grabs in the final two tournaments in Eldoret and  Nairobi.

“Lack of consistency has been our biggest undoing this season. We must find it (consistency) at the Tisap Sevens and Kabeberi Sevens and, hopefully, go deeper into the tournaments in the hunt for a strong finish,” noted Weru.

He said they will be seeking improvements in attack and breakdown, which he feels were areas of concern at the last tournament.

“In our quarterfinal game against Strathmore, we were not firing on all cylinders. We struggled at the breakdown and credit to Strathmore. They defended very well and denied us the much-needed space to execute our attack," added Weru.

In the big moments in the match, we did not execute well in what was a winnable game for us. I hope they have learned the lessons as we go for the Tisap Sevens."

Weru hopes forward  Steve Arunga will be back for the final two legs of the series.

“Arunga missed Christie Sevens but with the two-week window we have, I hope he will be available for Eldoret “