Karen Crusaders defeated Technical University of Mombasa (TUM Marines) to win the Malindi Beach Rugby Festival title held at the Buntwani waterfront Park in Malindi, Kilifi County.
The Nairobi’s Crusaders were 2-1 winners over Marines in a fierce final match won in the sudden death following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
Crusaders’ Captain Anthony Omondi Ochieng was full of praise for the team after winning two titles within two months.
Marines captain Neville Obongita noted that the boys were fatigued from their build-up matches. Playing bare-footed on the hot sand also proved to be an uphill task.
“We played well. Our opponents are more experienced than us, and we picked the necessary lessons. The boys were so tired from the previous matches, but we gave our all,” Obongita.
Hosts Malindi Experience came in third after holding down Barani School 2-0.
The event organizers led by the Coastal region Rugby Development Officer (RDO) Leon Lubang’a said the event was very successful despite lack of many sponsors.