Menengai Oilers produced a ruthless second-half display to brush aside Zetech Oaks 33-7 and secure their place in the Main Cup semi-finals at the 2026 Dala 7s in Kisumu.
Despite conceding the opening try, the Oilers responded in emphatic fashion, running in six unanswered phases of attacking brilliance to overwhelm the Prinsloo 7s Division Two champions and underline their credentials as genuine title contenders.
Zetech, who earned promotion after lifting the Division Two title at the Prinsloo 7s, made the brighter start and stunned the Nakuru-based side with an early breakthrough. Fidel Chimwani finished off a well-worked move by powering over the whitewash before the successful conversion gave the Oaks a 7-0 advantage.
However, the lead was short-lived as Menengai Oilers gradually found their rhythm. After building sustained pressure inside the Zetech 22, the Oilers worked the ball to the edge where Lucky muscled his way through a desperate tackle from Brian Ondego to score their opening try. The conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the score at 7-5.
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The momentum had now shifted firmly in favour of the Oilers, who began to dominate possession and territory. Their patient build-up play eventually paid dividends when Philip Okeyo produced a moment of individual brilliance. Carrying the ball into contact, Okeyo spun out of a tackle before changing direction to evade two Zetech defenders and sprinting over for the try.
The conversion was successful, handing Menengai Oilers a 12-7 lead heading into the halftime break.
The second half belonged entirely to the Oilers.
They resumed with greater intensity, pinning Zetech deep inside their own half through aggressive defence and quick recycling at the breakdown. Their dominance soon translated into points as Okeyo grabbed his second try of the afternoon, finishing off another sweeping attack before the conversion stretched the lead to 19-7.
With confidence flowing, the Nakuru outfit continued to shift the ball at pace, exposing gaps in the Oaks’ defensive line. A dazzling run from Wesonga split the defence wide open before he unselfishly released Glesias Owino, who raced away untouched to score beneath the posts. The straightforward conversion pushed the score to 26-7.
By now, Zetech had no answer to the Oilers’ relentless tempo. Every turnover was punished, while their defensive organisation struggled to cope with the speed and support play of the experienced sevens outfit.
Menengai Oilers capped off an outstanding performance with one final flourish. John Okeyo sliced through the defensive line with a brilliant swerving run before drawing the final defender and timing his pass perfectly for Alvin, who sprinted over to complete the scoring. The conversion was successful as the Oilers completed an emphatic 33-7 victory.
Having recovered from an early setback, Menengai Oilers showcased exactly why they are regarded as one of the strongest teams on the SportPesa National 7s Circuit. Their ability to control possession, exploit space and execute quick transitions proved too much for the spirited Zetech side.
For Zetech Oaks, the defeat brings an end to an impressive run that saw the newly promoted side compete admirably against top-flight opposition after their Division Two triumph at Prinsloo 7s. Although their Dala 7s journey ends in the quarter-finals, they leave Kisumu with valuable experience against one of the circuit’s elite teams.
Menengai Oilers, meanwhile, march into the semi-finals full of confidence and momentum, with their clinical attacking display sending a clear warning to the remaining contenders in the race for the Dala 7s title.