Hosts Eldoret RFC will seek to exploit home advantage at this weekend’s inaugural Western Region Pre-Season Lake Victoria Cup tournament at the Eldoret Sports Club.
The tournament is divided into three clusters with Eldoret RFC, Moi University, UoE and Kitale RFC in the Eldoret-based group.
Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar and MMUST, who have been handed a bye in the initial stages in Kakamega Region, will play in the quarterfinals. the region also has Western Bulls, Bungoma, Mbale and Vihiga Granites in the region.
Former Kenya Cup clubs Kisumu RFC and Kisii RFC, Maseno and Siaya leads in Kisumu region.
The Kenya Rugby Union Championship side will start their campaign against Nationwide side Kitale in one of the two encounters lined up.
Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) among others.
Eldoret head coach David Wachia said he is optimistic they will beat Kitale RFC to qualify for the finals with the winners earning the single ticket for the finals set for next month.
“This is a build-up tournament ahead of the Kenya Cup new season. As hosts, it will be a test match and we want to use our new players. To test them on the field of play to know how stable they are before the league,” said Wachia.
At the Eldoret Sports Club, there will be two matches on the card. The hosts will take on Kitale while the University of Eldoret side Trojans host Moi University.
The league has been divided in four regions where Eldoret region has Moi University, Eldoret RFC, UOE and Kitale RFC.
Wachia said that Eldoret, the former Kenya Cup side, has had a number of new players who will be given a chance to showcase their talents.
“This is our home and it will be good if we take advantage to introduce new players and make them the best. We should be in a position of ensuring that we fully take charge of this tournament because we want to reach the finals of this tour,” said Wachia.