Quins' Amon Wamalwa closes in on KCB playmaker Samuel Asati during a past tournament/HANDOUT
Kenya Harlequins aim to finish strongly after an underwhelming National Sevens Series campaign.
The outgoing champions have failed to hit the strides of last season and coach Patrice Agunda believes they have to improve their execution in attack and defence in the remaining two legs, especially in the knockout phase.
“We have failed to execute and own the big moments on the second day of the tournaments," said Agunda.
"We need to be sharper in both our attack and defence as well as other facets of play at the Kabeberi and Dala Sevens."
He added: "We need to find consistency in these final two legs to be assured of a top-three finish in the standings. I am confident the boys will deliver."
The Ngong Road giants have just one appearance in the Cup semis — at the Christie Sevens, where they lost 21-19 to eventual winners KCB.
At the season-opening Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa, Agunda's charges lost in the last eight, going down 19-14 to Nakuru.
At the Prinsloo leg in Nakuru, Quins suffered a 26-0 quarterfinal defeat to eventual winners Strathmore Leos, while at the Embu Sevens, they lost 19-14 to Oilers.
Quins are fourth on the log with 52 points, 30 behind leaders KCB.
Agunda, a former Kenya Sevens and Simbas international, expects twists and turns in the final two rounds.
“I'm expecting upsets at Kabeberi and Dala. Every team will be fighting for something, so it's not going to be a walk in the park,” he observed.
At the Kabeberi leg, Quins face a tricky trio of neighbours and rivals, Impala, Mwamba and Strathmore in arguably the pool of death.
“There are no easy pools. We have to fight to make it to the last eight. Matches between us and Impala are tense and hard-fought. Mwamba, on their day, can upset the big boys, while Strathmore have been the form team,” said Agunda.
KCB are in Pool A and will be up against Nakuru, Mean Machine and Mombasa Sports Club.
MMUST have a date with Daystar Falcons, Catholic Monks and former giants Homeboyz RFC in Pool C.
Oilers headline Pool D, where they are up against Kabras, Embu and Kisumu RFC.
