Wazalendo On The Road

The Bungoma Patriots travel alittle up North, to kick start their October activities with a crucial match against Nalondo RFC at the Senator Wetangula Stadium in Nalondo.

They’ll play a series of matches beginning with a 7s match, then a rugby 10s match, before concluding with a rugby 15s match that will kick off at 2pm.

The last time this two sides met, Bungoma Wazalendo put 5 tries past Nalondo in a ruthless Wazalendo manner.

The Patriots are using this matches as build up to their maiden rugby 15s season.

North vs South (Bungoma Edition)

The railway line that runs straight through the town centre will be used as the baseline, with all players living on the lower side of the railway(Mashambani, Downtown, Mandizini, Musikoma and ranje), forming the South team.

The North team will consist of players residing in Marell,Sinoko, Milimani,Kanduyi,Siritanyi and Sikata).

The match will be a rugby 15s game, that will serve as build up to the 2020/21 season which the patriots are set to register and participate in.

The game Kicks off at 12.30pm at the Airstrip. Fans are advised to wear masks and come in large numbers.

X-factor Player

Earlier on we captured the return of Ken Obel ‘Harry Kane ‘ https://4wazalendorugby.sport.blog/2020/08/31/the-return-of-the-beasts-2/ , the question that now remains in everyone’s mind after watching him play on Sunday is a simple one, “Is Ken Obel the next Songoi?”

Ken Obel might not be as physical as Songoi was, but the young man is certainly strong and quick. What he lacks for in his attack is compensated in his defence, he can really put a shoulder on those clean defensive hits and this makes him overally better than Songoi.

The Kabula Highschool alumnus joined the Wazalendo rugby Academy in 2018, and underwent the entire Wazalendo rugby training program that’s known for its intensity. Very few people make it past the first week of the program, which consists of thorough endurance, strength and conditioning drills. After a full year of conditioning and awareness drills, the young man was a completely different rugby player.

His speed and improved skills have seen him deployed at different positions, sometimes playing in midfield and other times finding Himself far out wide at the wing. Originally he is a forward and can play in any backrow or second row position.

Whatever it is that the future holds for the young man is not known, but one thing is clear, it won’t be long before a Big club comes seeking for his signature.

Wazalendo Go clean sheet on their Master

It was always birthday boy and the Patriots went all out, not losing a match, Ken Obel enforcing it all with multiple tries for the young man.

It wasn’t long before Ken Obel dotted down three tries for the Patriots against Kibabii RFC, the game ending 15-5 in favour of the Patriots.

The Patriots hastingly drawing against Kimilili RFC in their rugby 10s match. Once again Ken and Sean dotting down two very important tries.

The third match saw the Patriots Senior team whitewash the Junior team, 20 to nil with yet again Ken Obel scoring two magnificent tries against the junior team.

It wasn’t against Kibabii RFC in a 15s Match that Ken Obel showed his grit, coming on as a second half substitute to dot down two important tries that led the Patriots to a comeback victory against Kibabii RFC.

It was a combined Patriots team, entailing the likes of Kimilili and Wazalendo Junior as well as the senior Patriots that saw the Patriots win against Kibabii RFC 15 to 5 using brute force and determination to win it.

Ingoholics Rugby Festival Demo

Plenty of activities lined up for tomorrow, as the Patriots take to the field for the fourth Sunday in a row.

Founders’ Derby

Peter Wamoto’s Wazalendo Senior shall take on Peter Bildad Ogeta’s Wazalendo junior in the first match of the day which also doubles up as the Wazalendo derby.

Township Derby

The Wazalendo Senior team will then face Kibabii RFC in what is regarded as the township derby. The last time this two sides met the game ended in a draw, it will be interesting to see which team gets the win.

Kimilili ‘Jogoo’ Rugby

The last match for the Wazalendo Senior will be against Kimilili RFC popularly known as Jogoo RFC. The two sides have already met twice this year and each have a win from the two meetings. It promises to be a mouth watering clash as a very physical Bungoma side takes on a much structured Kimilili team.

Patriots’ Day

Wazalendo’s founder Peter J will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow, and has delegated coaching duties to his Brother James Wens and Wazalendo Junior’s founder Peter Bildad. He will be joined by family and close friends to mark the day that the first Patriot was born.

Appeal To Fans

It is a humble appeal that fans continue to show up in large numbers to support the home team. Wazalendo Rugby is a community initiative owned by the people. Come one, come all.

The Return Of the Beasts

The Patriots prepare to welcome back four of their most lethal forwards in the new month. Former Kenya Under 20 International, James Wens Wanjala has successfully recovered from an injury sustained 6 weeks ago, and is expected to commence personal training this week before joining the rest of the team next week.

Quick forward Mike Nyando is already back at training, and was instrumental in the win against Kimilili last weekend, showing serious gas and speed to finish off a 60 metre run for the tryline.

Menengai Oilers frontrow, Mike Mare, who has been out on personal commitments is back and should be able to join fellow front row James Wens for the return back to fitness program. He is widely known for his strong ball carrying abilities as well as good scrummaging.

The return of ‘Harry Kane ‘

Arguably the best forward among the Wazalendo, Ken Obel ‘Harry Kane’ , has been out of town for over 10 weeks now and his return brings an end to the Patriots’ lineout woes. His abilities in the air also gives the Patriots a much needed advantage in terms of fielding the aerial balls.

The four are expected to be fully fit in 2 weeks time and should be ready for the Wazalendo friendly match against Kimilili Jogoo RFC in a fortnight.

September Plans

The Patriots concluded their August fixtures with games against Kibabii RFC, Nalondo RFC and Kimilili RFC respectively, drawing the first game and winning the last two.

September is particularly an important month for the Patriots, the Patriots founder celebrates his birthday every 13th of September. Plans for September include a friendly against Mwiruti RFC at home next Sunday, then they travel to Kimilili a week later for there match against Jogoo RFC.

They then head to the Kenya-Uganda border for a crucial match against Malaba RFC, before concluding their away matches, with a match against Vihiga Granites.

The Patriots will conclude their September activities with a demo tournament of the Ingoholics 7s.

Victorious

Bungoma Wazalendo community rugby club stand victorious against their town rivals Kibabii RFC. The Patriots won the rugby 7s game, 15-10 after rallying from behind to win the match.

In the second rugby 7s match, Bungoma Wazalendo drew 10-10 with Sikusi RFC. Perhaps paying a hefty price for a bit of complacency in their style of play. A notable try in that match coming from Job Oriko Nyando, showing serious gas to finish off a 50 metre run for the try.

The next match was a rugby 10s match, and the Patriots quickly asserted their dominance at the breakdown, securing all their rucks and getting plenty of clean balls from their scrums and lineouts. Walela running a twisted line on attack to dot down the first try. From then on it was try after try as the patriots won the game 15-0.

In the rugby 15s game, the Patriots picked off from where they had left in the 10s match. The first half ending 15-0. In the second half the Patriots benefiting from forward momentum to ground two more tries. Kibabii RFC being sore losers walked out of the match before its conclusion, Wazalendo winning it 25-0.

Township Derby

The patriots from Bungoma take the short trip to Kibabii, to face their township rivals Kibabii RFC.

The matches kick off at 11am tomorrow morning. The first match being a rugby 7s match, while the second match is a rugby 10s match.

The Patriots, commonly referred to as Wazalendo, have made upto five changes to their squad that took part in the last weekend’s tournament in Nalondo, preferring to call in the likes of experienced forward Rino Nabutola, halfback Obed and Speedy winger Chris Mbaya.

The Patriots have not won any game since they last beat Nalondo in a rugby 10s match, 5 weeks ago, and it is this reason that has led to the changes in the squad.

May the best team win.

Aseka Cup Results and Highlights

Bungoma Wazalendo Community rugby club kicked off their tour of Kakamega (https://4wazalendorugby.sport.blog/2020/07/03/kakamega-tour/), on the back foot, losing both the rugby 7s and rugby 15s matches against their annual rivals Mumias RFC commonly referred to as Imboko.

In the 7s aside match, both the first half and second half ended in a barren draw, forcing the game to go into extra time. The first half of the second half ended scoreless, but it was in the second half where Mumias took their chance and scored the solitary try that sealed the victory for them.

The rugby 15s game kicked off later on in the afternoon, and the first half was scoreless. The Wazalendo failing to capitalise on their chances, lapses in concentration gifting Mumias RFC alot of possession.

Mumias struck first in the second half, then later on in the dying minutes of the game they got their second try that gave them victory over The Patriots.

The tour of Kakamega is still on, and next weekend Wazalendo brace themselves to face off with Western Bulls at the Bull ring.

It’s an appeal to all Wazalendo sponsors and well wishers to support the team in whatever way inorder for them to travel and play. Contributions should be channelled through the club’s treasurer Austin Aunyasi 0723073355.