By Herbert Mwachiro
June 14 2006

The big weekend is finally here. Its the TUSKER SAFARI SEVENS 2006 tournament which is billed as Africa's Premier Sevens Event will start on Friday 16th June 2006.

This year sees the British Army, France, Natal Sharks, Zimbabwe, Emerging Springboks, Western Province, Kenya and Bristol University among the teams that Kenya Harlequin will be rubbing shoulders with in the Main Competition. The 3 day competition also has a vets category as well as a ladies competition. Quins are well represented by the QuinVets and the Quins Kweens.

It has been 6 long years since Quins were last in the Safari Sevens. At their last appearance in 2000 they were worthy Plate winners. This year with a strong squad indeed only missing 5 players who are in the Kenya team, Quins have set their sights higher and only time will tell on their ambition. Quins are the national sevens club champions.

The squad named yesterday has been training hard under the watchful eye of deputy 7s coach Ken Thimba (who also doubles up as Vets coach). Thimba making his way back to coaching after a golfing experience that almost saw him play golf with the now departed Artur brothers.

The Quins 7s team named yesterday are:
Charles Cardovillis - capped at 7s and 15s
Lewis Olaka - capped 7s
Peter Abuoga -7s
Daniel Ngonga - rookie
Patrick Onyango - 7s and 15s
Innocent Simiyu -7s and 15s
Ferdinand Ngaira - 7s
Amos Agiro - rookie
Joash Odhallo - rookie
Timothy Lee Muraguri - baby rookie
Francis Rono - rookie
Dennis Keya - Nigeria 7s

The above squad will be managed by Allan Khakame and Frederick Omondi is the physio.

Good luck boys!

The VETERANS led by golden oldies Richard Njoba and Beth Omollo are keeping the squad tight and any other vets with burning ambition are free to join. A VETS team get together will be at the Quins Clubhouse from 16-30hrs Thursday evening. The VETS are pooled along side RVA and Walevi. These should be interesting games. Keep the stretchers and insurance cards ready. Thursdays meeting very important as kick off is 11am Friday.

The Kweens will be fighting it out with Mwamba and Keel University from England.

MAIN CUP

Good luck to the 3 Quins sides.

Back at the ranch we wish to express our gratitude to John Kiarie for according financial support to the club and to (Andrew) Kimani Kariuki for donating a brand new colour TV for use (for good) during this very sporty period. Thanks guys and the Quins family salute the both of you.

It promises to be a Quin filled Safari Sevens weekend and you are advised to take the Monday off to recuperate as their is no holding back to getting tired. See you there and lets have fun with rugby this weekend.

MEMBERSHIP:
As the club is very active this month we request members to pay their subscriptions in order to help finance and support the activities of the club. June is indeed a busy month and word just in is that in July we shall be playing Mombasa RFC at the coast in an Enterprise Cup game quarterfinal game. Please support the efforts of the club.

Tonite, Thursday, friday, Saturday and Sunday for those not named in the team its QUINDAY as usual so see you there.

The 2006 membership drive continues.

18. Sammy Okaro - Strong
17. Daag Ham Onsando - Superior
16. William Mudavadi - Superior
15. Thomas Odundo - Superior
14. Herbert Mwachiro - Superior
13. Sammy Muraya - Superior
12. Geoff Anampiu - Strong>
11. Gordon Anampiu - Superior
10. Gabriel Ouko - Superior
9. Philip Jalango - Superior
8. Rodrigues Orawo - Superior
7. Aidan Moore - Superior
6. Ralph Nzomo - Superior
5. James Absaloms Juma - Superior
4. Ken Muli - Superior
3. Andrew Kimani - Superior
2. Dominique Dimba - Superior
1. Esther W Nganga - Strong